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SamTrans > News Archive - 2003 > SamTrans Welcomes New Bus Transportation Manager
SamTrans Welcomes New Bus Transportation Manager
There's a new face onboard with the San Mateo County Transit District. Chester
Patton III joined SamTrans earlier this month as the new manager of bus
transportation.
Patton comes to SamTrans with 18 years of transportation experience, that has taken
him from Austin, Texas, where he got his start, to the Bay Area. Most recently, he
worked as transportation superintendent for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority. As part of his role with the VTA, Patton oversaw the activation of
service on two new light rail lines, Tasman West Rail Corridor and Tasman East Rail
Corridor.
Before joining the VTA's light rail operations, Patton had worked as a transportation
superintendent and a dispatch supervisor in Texas. He began his career as a
fixed-route and paratransit dispatcher in Austin.
"There are no great cities or metropolitan areas without great transportation
systems," said Patton. "The Bay Area offers its residents a great quality of life
and as a transportation professional, I feel like I help make that possible."
Patton's been in the Bay Area, which he considers one of the best places in the world,
since 1997. One of the things that keeps him here is his love of San Francisco and
the challenging role he plays in keeping the Bay Area moving.
"SamTrans is facing its biggest challenges and changes to date and we needed a
dynamic person to hit the ground running," said Chuck Harvey, chief operating officer
for the transit district. "Chester is comfortable working in a fast-paced
environment and after six years in the Bay Area, he understands the unique challenges
our system is facing."
Patton was eager to join SamTrans' team because he felt that the district's great
reputation and emphasis on customer service connected well with his own personal
values. He also has been impressed with the sense of teamwork and community that is
fostered by district employees. This attitude was typified when upon meeting the new
bus operations manager one SamTrans operator said, "Welcome Home."
Chester and his wife Melissa have been married for 18 years and have a 12 year-old
daughter and a nine year-old son. When Patton's not at work, he and his family can
be found exploring the parks, museums and historic sites of San Francisco.
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