Cole McCarren

Experience

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  Shuttle-UM Transit System, UMD DOTS

  Jan 2015 - May 2017

  • Lead service planner for all transit operations personnel at three University System of Maryland institutions, serving 3.5 million riders annually.• Managed operator runpick processes; rostered, distributed and awarded shift assignments to 200+ union and non-union driving staff per contract agreements.• Conducted performance reporting, bus stop surveys, and reviewed service plans, regularly working alongside senior and university management in an extremely collaborative environment. Show less

  • Operations Planning Manager

    May 2016 - May 2017

  • Operations Planning Analyst

    May 2015 - Apr 2016

  • Student Bus Driver

    Jan 2015 - Apr 2015
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  Center for Mobility Equity (Formerly CMRT)

  May 2017 - Apr 2019

  Data and Outreach Coordinator

  • Produced GTFS feeds and provided technical assistance services to 18 Locally-Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) across Maryland. Prepared reports, maps, and presentations for transit and mobility service providers, community organizations, elected officials, rider groups, and travel training staff.

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  Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland

  Apr 2019 - Dec 2021

  Planning & Special Projects Manager, Senior Transit Analyst

  • Deployed rider tools like real-time transit trip planning and vehicle tracking data on Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Transit App, as well as a text message-based bus arrival prediction system at over 600 bus stops.• Coordinated technology projects like real-time automatic passenger counters and account-based mobile ticketing (which allows RTA passengers to plan, track, and pay for their trips within a single mobile app).• Increased bus system on-time performance by 35% through new data-driven approaches to historical runtime analysis. Implemented operator-facing performance monitoring tools which decreased early trip departures by over 70%.• Facilitated rider advisory council group meetings and public hearings with government leaders, transit agency staff, and members of the public to discuss and collect feedback on service proposals and agency initiatives. Show less

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  MTA Maryland

  Dec 2021 - Jan 2023

  Real-Time Passenger Information Manager

  • Worked to improve the quality and accessibility of scheduled and real-time transit information available on MDOT MTA physical signage, mobile apps, and within open data feeds to enhance the customer experience of over 40,000,000+ riders annually across Maryland bus and rail modes.• Led interdepartmental effort to launch cross-platform train tracking and prediction functionality for Baltimore’s Light Rail system. Engaged and coordinated with operations, planning, engineering, and customer-facing staff to ensure the user experience at train platforms was in sync with rider expectations. Show less

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  Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland

  Aug 2023 - Oct 2024

  Assistant General Manager (Transdev)

  • Managed all aspects of daily transit operations, overseeing over 100 unionized bus operators, transit dispatchers, and operations supervisors to ensure the provision of safe, efficient, and reliable fixed-route bus and paratransit services across multiple counties.• Collaborated with local government officials, union representatives and shop stewards, community advisory groups, and regional stakeholders to address concerns and negotiate agreements. Fostered partnerships that enhanced public transit services for nearly one million riders annually.• Spearheaded initiatives to refine and improve dispatching and communication protocols. Developed training resources, SOPs, and internal processes to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery, equipping team members with the tools and knowledge necessary for success. Show less

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  Swiftly, Inc.

  Oct 2024 - now

  Solutions Engineer