David Ocampo is named public transit general manager

DAYTON-Following a successful stint as interim Columbia County Public Transportation (CCPT) General Manager, David Ocampo was officially named to the position at the July 22 CCPT board meeting. Former lead dispatcher Darla Brown is the new transit supervisor.

Ocampo was the district's safety and maintenance coordinator until he was pulled in as interim GM following the resignation of GM Dwight Robanske wo resigned in Dec. of 2017 after being placed on paid administrative leave in Oct. of that year. Robanske's was one in a series of management resignations, investigations and cuts that left the District in low morale and essentially without management, aside from the CCPT Board, according to Ocampo, who was hesitant in accepting the interim position.

With a ten-year background working in Ford dealerships, Ocampo was hired by CCPT as the safety/maintenance/training coordinator in 2012. He focused on bringing maintenance and repairs in-house so that the District was no longer dependent on outsourcing.

When it came to the ongoing management issues, Ocampo said he kept to himself in the shop, "and kind of kept my head in the sand like an Ostrich." It was at the insistence of his co-workers that he accepted the role of interim manager – a job that he has handled in such a way as to change the entire tenor of the operations, according to Brown.

"He's the one that keeps morale up. He's so positive and makes sure it's an open environment. He is extremely transparent, and everyone gets to be involved. No one is higher than anyone else – we're all equals. He makes it a fun place to work while still getting the job done. Attitudes and morale around here have gone from zero to one hundred in no time at all. You can ask any employee," Brown said, as affirming shouts of agreement echoed from adjoining offices.

Ocampo said that he was a "ball of emotions" when deciding to accept the permanent position, but that the past seven months experience and the backing of a strong support team leaves him feeling confident in accepting the role.

"We didn't want someone from the outside. That happened before and it didn't work out. We wanted someone who knew our agency and what we were about. A couple of names got tossed in the pot and almost everyone who worked here named David. At no time that he's worked here has he ever made an enemy, he gets along with everyone and his work ethic is unreal. Employees wrote letters and statements and presented them at a board meeting begging them to make David general manager," Brown said.

With a successful trial period under his belt and encouragement from CCPT employees, the board agreed. The CCPT board unanimously voted to offer Ocampo a permanent contract at its June 18 board meeting, pending successful contract negotiations.

Brown is one of the longest-term employees, having been with CCPT since 2006. The former school bus driver said she came on as an on-call, part-time driver, and never had a less than 40-hour work week. Over the years, she has worked as a dispatcher, lead dispatcher and now transit supervisor where she oversees everything in operations on the dispatch and driver side of the operation.

CCPT currently has 15 employees, with 12 drivers, two full-time dispatchers and a finance officer. Brown and Ocampo include themselves with the drivers as they both drive along with their other duties.

In addition to increased morale and an improved work environment, numbers are pointing to District success as well.

Brown said that numbers comparing ridership from July 1-22 shows an increase of 1,100 more trips/boardings over that same period last year. Even more impressive is the fact that 99 new riders, who have previously never used CCPT, have taken the bus this summer.

"That's pretty massive for a small agency," Brown said.

The District is currently offering free fares through Aug. 31 to encourage ridership, which tends to fall drastically during the summer when students aren't taking the bus to WWCC or adjoining school districts. An expansion grant has allowed for Saturday service as well.

The District is proud to have received the Washington State Safety Award through the Washington State Transit Insurance Pool (WSTIP) for the second year in a row.

"We were not only the lowest, but we had no at-fault accidents or claims. We were the only agency in the state of Washington with zeros all the way across the board," Brown said.

Looking ahead, Ocampo said he sees a lot of changes in the agency's future.

Tops on his list of concerns is transparency. Ocampo has instituted monthly internal meetings and says he wants everyone involved and in-the-know.

Training, which Ocampo feels was lacking in the past, will also be a priority. Employees have already taken advantage of communication, management, sexual harassment, wheelchair securement and train-the-trainer workshops and trainings.

Ocampo and Brown will also make sure the District is represented at WSTIP and other large transit agency meetings.

"We are making a point to represent CCPT and make our presence known. Those meetings are where the decisions get made and it's important for the little guys to be there when that happens. It also helps us in getting scholarships and grants when people know who we are," Ocampo said.

Ocampo and Brown want the community to know that CCPT is there for them and available for questions.

"I hope people will stop in and visit; see where we're located and ask what we do. We are funded by tax money; we need the demand to keep the programs running," Ocampo said.

While CCPT can't provide charter services, Brown said groups can take advantage of regular routes for group events. She gave examples of a group of ladies going wine tasting in Walla Walla, one that would travel together to the Walla Walla Saturday Market, and another group that takes the bus to aquacise in Prescott.

She also mentioned that many are still unaware that CCPT offers curb-to-curb service in Dayton. The service is free in the summer, but all-day fare is $1.50 for youth/adults and $1 for seniors, beginning Sept. 1. A rider simply calls to let CCPT know where they need picked up and they will be told when to expect a bus. Brown said the service is ideal for trips to the store or for kids riding to school in the summer.

CCPT offers service between Dayton and Starbuck, Waitsburg and Walla Walla and also oversees a vanpool program. Monthly passes are available. To learn more about routes, prices, or services see ccptransit.org online, Columbia County Public Transportation on Facebook, or call the office at (509) 382-1647.