Meet Marion, Island Transit’s dedicated Operations Support. Since joining the Island Transit team in November 2022, Marion has been the backbone of our Operations Department, supporting the Operations Manager with unparalleled enthusiasm. Her role involves coordinating uniforms, schedules and purchasing, among other crucial responsibilities, ensuring that everything runs like clockwork. Marion’s passion for her job stems from the connections she makes with our Bus Operators – a sentiment that makes her role all the more rewarding.

A unique aspect of Marion’s commitment to Island Transit is her daily commute – she chooses to ride the bus to work every day. For Marion, this is not just a means of transportation, it’s an opportunity to experience firsthand the exceptional service the Island Transit Bus Operators provide. According to her, “Our Bus Operators are amazing, knowledgeable, and very friendly. The views on the bus are also breathtaking, no matter which route you take.”

Beyond her daily duties, Marion serves as the Chair of the Green Team at Island Transit. She has lead initiatives such as highway cleanups and scrap metal drives. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility among the Island Transit staff is truly commendable.

Marion’s favorite moments involve watching the Bus Operators go above and beyond to assist riders, especially the paratransit drivers who showcase unparalleled compassion. She encourages anyone with questions of concerns about Island Transit to reach out to the helpful Bus Operators.

Marion is a testament to the heart and soul of Island Transit. Her commitment to excellence, paired with her genuine care for the well-being of Island Transit employees and community, makes her a true asset to the Island Transit agency. Island Transit extends a heartfelt appreciation to Marion for her outstanding contributions and look forward to witnessing her continued impact on Island Transit.

Meet Joseph, the heart and soul behind the accounting desk at Island Transit. With three years under his belt as Accounting Clerk, Joseph has been the backbone of financial transparency, ensuring that Island Transit’s books are in tip top shape. “I do my best to ensure that our accounting records are transparent and accurate and so far, I have been successful in doing so,” Joseph explains. Under his watch, the accounting records have been impeccable, earning praise from the state Auditor’s office in the most recent 2023 audit.

Joseph’s journey with Island Transit reaches beyond numbers, however. “My dad has worked with Island Transit since 2006, so I have always been around Island Transit since I was a kid,” he explains. So, after earning his degree in accounting at the University of Washington, combined with his passion for public work, joining the agency was a natural fit.

As Joseph reflects on his time so far at Island Transit, he recalls his acting debut in an Island Transit video guide at the start of his career. “I’m not saying I’m a young Denzel Washington, but you have never seen me and Denzel Washington in the same room at the same time,” he jokes. The acting was a humbling experience for Joseph, but it also allowed him to connect with some of the riders and witness firsthand how vital Island Transit is to the community, which he still thinks about today.

Through Joseph’s lens, Island Transit is not just a transit system but a bridge connecting people and creating community. Joseph advises riders who have questions or who are interested in riding and don’t know where to start, to visit the Island Transit website, give Island Transit a call or stop by the office. We are always willing and ready to help. 

Julie worked for Island Transit for 17 years. She and her former co-worker Staci managed the vanpool program with as many as 70 vanpools. 

“I love my job, the people, the community connections and working toward environmental sustainability. It’s a good fit.” 

Getting people out of their single occupancy vehicles isn’t easy. The bus doesn’t work for everybody. But for some commuting to work or school by vanpool is a good alternative. Vanpools get priority loading on the ferry. They can use HOV lanes and get priority parking at work. Some employers supplement vanpool costs. They save time, money, and the planet. 

Julie maked it easy for people to do the right thing. “I love the vanpool participants. They’re so appreciative. Many of them have been in vanpools for 20 or 30 years. Now it’s evolving to the next generation. They see how it works for them, saves them money and wear and tear on their car. 

Everything about it is so win win!