To strengthen collaboration and allow for more in-depth conversations, the coordinators agreed that a two-day, in-person meeting would be beneficial. Carey Ellis (PTAP/Local 1756) and Katelynn Feltner (JWI/Local 265) volunteered to lead the planning committee, with support from CTW’s Susan Yates and Robert Hannibal.

AC Transit Training and Education Center
On Saturday, June 13th, frontline maintenance workers, mentors, trainers, managers, ATU officers, shop stewards, a high school automotive instructor, and Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) members gathered at the AC Transit Training Center for the California Transit Works Northern California Maintenance Caucus.

Participants included members from:
• Progress in Action (PIA) — AC Transit & ATU Local 192
• San Joaquin Driving Force — SJRTD & ATU Local 256
• Joint Workforce Investment (JWI) — VTA & ATU Local 265
• Logan High School — Steve Kay, Automotive Technology Instructor through the Mission   Valley ROP

This regional gathering demonstrated the value of bringing together frontline workers, trainers, mentors, union leadership, management, and career technical education partners from multiple agencies to openly share challenges, solutions, and best practices in transit maintenance, especially as public transit continues transitioning to Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) technology and advanced electrical systems.

Topics included:
• Bus Maintenance Mentorship
• Electrical Skills FEE Training
• Technical Skills Hands-on Best Practices
• Troubleshooting and diagnostics
• Zero Emission Bus workforce preparation
• Regional peer learning and collaboration

A major highlight of the caucus was the afternoon best practices discussion, where frontline workers and mentors shared real-world maintenance solutions and shop-floor experiences across agencies, reinforcing the importance of regional participation, mentorship, and peer-driven learning throughout California transit.