Why I Work for RTD: Walter Palmgren
Walter Palmgren
Bus Operator (10 years)
“I think I have a unique perspective, having been in all the major frontline groups, starting at bus, going to light rail, becoming an instructor at light rail, then moving to commuter rail, becoming an instructor for the conductor group, and then coming back to buses. So I've made full circle.
“I grew up in the metro area, so I grew up with RTD. My first bus ride was with my grandmother, back when the senior fare was a dime. She lived over by First and Havana and rode the bus down to Mississippi. She wanted to go to Wendy’s and have lunch on a weekend but didn't want to drive. I was probably in first grade. I rode the first light rail train from Broadway to 30th and Downing. It's been a wondrous experience to watch RTD evolve, to grow, to expand into different branches.
“This is a great experience for me to give back to communities that I grew up in. I view this position in the same light as police, firefighters, first responders, other servants of the community. If we weren't out there, there'd be a lot of places that people couldn't get to. There'd be a lot of people who wouldn't be going anywhere.
“I take pride in having been able to become part of the public transit family before coming to RTD. I worked with contractors, so I've been driving RTD buses for a very long time. I never thought that I would be here for as long as I have been. And here it is, 10 years later. It doesn't feel like it's been that long, but this job is truly adventurous. It's rewarding. It's challenging. Having been able to be an instructor as well as an employee, having been a passenger as well as an employee, it gives me that unique perspective, that empathy with the passengers. I've been that person standing out on a corner in a blizzard, waiting for a bus to show up in a rainstorm, in a windstorm, in the blasting heat of summer.
“I think that empathy is a key component when I talk to people that are exploring the option of coming into public transit, or that are new and have just joined RTD. I will tell them, it's very challenging. It's going to test your abilities. It's going to test your skills, your patience, your resolve. The first few years in this industry can be grueling. I think that people have a better chance of staying when they first start out if they understand you're going to have very short nights, very long days, split shifts. If there's a tick mark on the clock, I've worked it. If there's a date on the calendar, I've worked it.
“Every time we change schedules, it gets a little better. And that is something that's beautiful about RTD: You don't have to come into one thing and stay there. I went to Platte, decided I wanted to be on rails. I went to light rail, decided I wanted to try a new adventure when the conductor group opened at commuter rail. And then for various reasons, I decided to make the change to come back to buses. I’ve liked everything I've done.
“Would I go back to commuter rail? In a heartbeat. I loved that job. I loved that position. Great team. Great management. Being a conductor, having interaction with the passengers, was phenomenal. You build relationships. They become friends – they're just not another face on the train. You talk about what you're doing for the holidays, how the family's doing, how the pets are doing. You build that rapport because you see the same people commuting every day.
“It's been a fantastic 10 years. Every day is an adventure. No two days are identical. You might be driving the same kind of bus, you may be on the same route, but the adventure is always going to be different. Can it be challenging? Yes. But I hold on to all the rewarding moments. I have so many stories that remind me why I'm in this field and just how good it can be. You are a lifeline to some people, because there are people that can't drive. Remember those people.
“When I decided to come into this career field, I would sit up in the front of the bus and watch everything the driver did, every switch, every button that they pushed. I would always ask questions. And I know we have passengers out there that are the same way.
“I really like to talk with the passengers when I have the time, when it's safe. And if they have questions, I like to be able to give them answers. I like to be able to explain things to them. One thing I came to realize over the years is we've got a lot of people that use us by choice, not by necessity. We have to keep it interesting for them, to keep them utilizing our services. There are people that no matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to get them out of their car. But the ones that we can give an enjoyable alternative, we need to connect with them and help keep that relationship with them.
“I may sometimes come off as abrasive or flat. That's just my personality. When I was young, ‘Star Trek’ was popular, and I was called Spock and Data numerous times throughout my childhood. I can be a great individual to learn with, learn from, talk to, build a relationship with. If you need help, I'll be the first person to offer, especially if you're new. Don't be afraid to approach me. I can become your best friend in an instant.”