TriMet TV Episode 10 · Dec. 31, 2007 · 2:48 · Download (24MB M4V)

Meet MAX Light Rail Operator, Donna Popi

My name is Donna Popi, and I operate the MAX trains, and that makes me a light rail vehicle operator.

Text transcript of this episode

My name is Donna Popi, and I operate the MAX trains, and that makes me a light rail vehicle operator.

I was a bus operator for 3 years before I came to rail, but I've been operating the train since 2004.

Some of the most difficult parts about being a rail operator are the pedestrians for one.

The trains are quiet, so they don't always hear you coming, and then when you add an iPod in there and cell phones (laughs), it's really scary, they just don't hear you coming at all.

(TRAIN BELL) This guy on the left, he's not paying attention!

(TRAIN HIGH HORN) Don't do that...

But that's what you have to watch for, I don't know a bus operator or rail operator that doesn't save somebody's life everyday.

You really have to be on your toes, there's just way too much going on. That's actually one thing I really love about this job,

I like being outside, and it's like being outside when I'm not, operating the train, because the windows are big, and I have a panoramic view of the world out there, and I like that a lot.

There's something to be said for bus operators and the social interaction you get with people too.

There's a man that goes between Gateway and 102nd, so I see him all the time, and he always tips his hat.

I don't know, I feel a little bit isolated up here from the rest of the world back there, so it's nice when you see some passengers that wave to you or, you kinda get to know them through the window of the train. You don't really get to ever talk to them much.

In some ways, I kinda miss the social-ness of the bus side, but not enough to go back, I like trains. I highly recommend it.

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