CTDOT Transit Manager of CT Operational Systems and CT Ferry Greg Tower

 

Transit on the Move is a dynamic interview series spotlighting transportation leaders as they share insights and innovations on the road ahead for our evolving transit landscape. Here we have an excerpt from an interview with Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Transit Manager of CT Operational Systems and CT Ferry Gregory Tower, conducted by CTtransit Executive Director of External Affairs, Vanessa P. Brooks.

 

Vanessa Brooks: What started or what began your journey in transportation? I looked at your bio, and I see that you have an 18-year history. Share with us what initially piqued your interest in this industry and, quite frankly, what’s kept you here so long? 

Greg Tower: I started my career as a student bus driver at the great University of Connecticut. Go Huskies! I think it was honestly there, Vanessa. I think a friend said, “You can’t drive a bus,” and I go, “Watch me,” applied for the job, got the job, and just really, really fell in love with public service, the whole system. 

I worked my way through being a bus driver to dispatch to training other operators. And then ultimately I was a student manager there, overseeing the hiring and training of other student drivers. 

Upon graduation, I got set up with a company called First Transit, which is now Transdev, and the rest is history. I spent 10 years in the private sector, doing transit contracting in Connecticut, down in southern Connecticut and in other parts of the region, and then the job at the state opened up. 

 

VB: Looking back over that extensive career working in the private sector, working now for the CTDOT, what experiences would you say have shaped the way you lead today?  

GT: It's truly people. I've been so fortunate in my career thus far to have worked for some really, really tremendous leaders. And I think you and I share that spirit, the way I hear you talk about your peers and and of course [ General Manager] Tom [Stringer] and the way I feel about the folks we work with too. It's just such a blessing to have the ability to work with some really talented folks. 

 

VB: You manage a fleet of more than 500 buses and a major ferry operation as well. In managing those buses, in managing that fleet, I know that there are unique challenges that arise. What are the pressures, Greg, or some of the complexities that people might not see from the outside? 

GT: No day is the same in transit, especially transit operations. And my position is no different than that, just having the ability to pivot and be flexible. What you think you start your day wanting to do, or it's on your agenda, it can completely go another direction and you have to be flexible, have to pivot. 

 

VB: With you leading a full life cycle of transit operating contracts, Greg, what do you consider some of the hallmarks of a strong, accountable partnership? 

GT: I put a high premium on communication. Communication's key, in any relationship. Whether it's home, professional, contract management, communication is the cornerstone to any successful relationship. 

 

VB: When you look ahead, what opportunities or areas of growth do you see for transit in Connecticut? 

GT: I know this is a big one for both you and I, Vanessa, is our service alerts. That's been on the front of my mind, maybe because of the time of the year, maybe because it's something that desperately needs modernization, but that's a huge opportunity or area of growth for our service, is just how we communicate with our valued customers.  

 

VB: What is something that you do, say after a long day or a stressful week, that recharges you and keeps you grounded in this fast-paced field? 

GT: I do like staying active. I think I'm a high-energy guy. So if I don't have a mechanism, whether it's working out or being outside or going for a run to expel that energy, you won’t like me. [laughs] I definitely need that physicality. 

I'm not sure that they help me unwind at times but two beautiful, beautiful daughters, five and two years old, that you know as your experience with your first grandbaby, it's just such a great age, great time — they're just fun to be around. 

 

VB: I hope you are investing well because listen to your friend — you won't have a dollar to spend when they start shopping. You won't have any money, so spend a little now because they're going to take all of your money. 

GT: I'm OK with that. There's worse places to spend it. 

 

VB: Absolutely right. Well, before we wrap up, what's a message that you would like to leave with our audience? 

GT: I saw a stat of what percentage of Americans use public transit, and it was very small. So I think the message being “get out there and use the service, use the system” is huge. I think we don't do it justice if we can't promote it. So I would love to see more people using public transit.  

And then globally, just, whether it's transit or just in your everyday life, be kind to people. Life's too short not to be kind. So get out and ride the system and be kind.