HDR’s Matt Tucker Discusses Transit Ridership, Staffing and Funding With Metro Magazine

The transit industry has gone through an eventful few years and many agencies are reassessing their services, routes and capital plans. Global Transit Director Matt Tucker recently shared his insights with Metro magazine on efforts to increase ridership, making the most of recent federal funding increases and how consultants can help transit systems address their biggest issues. 

“The transit industry faces two major ongoing challenges: Ridership that hasn’t fully recovered from the pandemic and a tight labor market that has made it difficult to hire and retain personnel with needed knowledge, skills and abilities,” Tucker said. “Consultants help agencies address both of these, first by providing expertise in route and system planning as well as project design services, and also by filling gaps in agencies’ staffing.”

Tucker also highlighted how meeting the expectations of riders and stakeholders is key to agencies’ continued success. “Increasing usage begins with understanding users and their needs,” he said. While challenges remain, the outlook is positive for agencies in tune with their communities and collaborating closely with their partners and stakeholders. 

Read the whole article, “Workforce Issues, Ridership, and More with HDR's Tucker,” from Metro.