In a shifting transit landscape shaped by rapid technological innovation, evolving workforce expectations, and the long tail of pandemic disruption, contractors play a larger role than ever in helping agencies meet their goals for safe, reliable, and innovative mobility services.

One of those contractors, WeDriveU, has carved out a unique place in the industry through service delivery and deep investments in people, community, and scalable technology solutions.

METRO's Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Erick Van Wagenen, president and CEO of WeDriveU, for a candid discussion about the company’s evolving mission, how contractors can add value to public agencies, and why workforce development and community engagement are critical pillars of long-term success.

The Role of Contractors and More

What do you see as WeDriveU’s core value to the transit industry, and what role should contractors play in helping agencies provide dependable mobility?

One of the most significant advantages a contractor brings is the depth of experience. At WeDriveU, we work with various clients across various environments, exposing us to different ideas and operating conditions. That allows us to carry lessons and innovations from one project to the next.

When agencies bring in contractors, they’re not just outsourcing operations but tapping into a broader knowledge base. We can offer new ideas, technologies, and operational approaches that agencies may not have access to internally. That’s especially important today, when efficiency and innovation are critical.

We also recognize the value of combining that broad, global perspective with a deep understanding of local communities. The outsourcing model thrives when a contractor can bring world-class experience and regional relevance.

What trends or challenges are you addressing now that weren’t as prominent five or 10 years ago?

Technology has become a front-and-center issue, particularly regarding how quickly it can be implemented. Because of our position in both public and private sectors, we can pilot and scale new technologies more rapidly than traditional transit agencies. Public procurement processes can take time, and understandably so, but we have the agility to test, iterate, and roll out solutions in real time.

We constantly evaluate tools related to route optimization, scheduling, or safety and share what’s working across our network. Our ability to pilot new systems, get feedback, and scale them across operations is a big part of how we add value.

We also strongly support peer-to-peer learning. We love bringing customers together to share best practices. Industry organizations do this well, too, and we work in tandem with them to create those collaborative opportunities.

Innovating through Tech and Safety

Can you dive deeper into some technologies or innovations WeDriveU has recently introduced?

AI and machine learning are hot topics everywhere, but they’ve been part of our industry for a while, particularly in routing and optimization. What’s evolving is using intelligent systems to augment human performance, not replace it.

Safety is a huge area of focus. We’re using technology to support our drivers, not automate them away. From driver-assist systems to fatigue monitoring to on-board safety tools, we’re layering systems that help drivers do their jobs more effectively and safely. That’s especially important in services like paratransit, where the human element is vital for passenger support.

These technologies improve safety and build trust internally with our employees and externally with our agency partners.

Are there international innovations to which you think the U.S. transit market should pay more attention?

There are always interesting developments globally, but the U.S. has made significant strides in recent years, particularly coming out of COVID. How agencies responded to that challenge, adapted quickly, and modernized operations was impressive.

Europe often gets highlighted for transit innovation, but U.S. agencies have shown real leadership lately. They’ve been resilient, adaptable, and willing to try new things. So while there are always ideas to borrow internationally, we’re also doing a good job pushing innovation here at home.

Training Today's Workforce for Tomorrow and Other Challenges

Workforce challenges have become a significant issue in transit. How has WeDriveU approached staffing and retention?

We’ve built a culture that values employees as long-term assets. Retention isn’t just about perks; it’s about growth. I started in this industry 19 years ago at the base level, and that experience informs how I view talent development. We believe in promoting from within, mentoring new hires, and building career paths for drivers and operations staff.

If a driver wants to become a GM, we want to make that path visible and accessible. That kind of internal promotion helps with retention and builds a stronger company culture. Our team members know we’re invested in their futures.

Are these development opportunities being extended to other hard-to-hire roles, like maintenance technicians?

Definitely. Maintenance technicians are tough to find, particularly in our niche. Trucking involves more commercial vehicles than passenger transport, so we compete in a tight labor pool.

That’s why we’re building apprentice pathways, bringing in entry-level technicians and giving them the training and certifications they need to become master mechanics. The same goes for operations staff. Our industry has a shortage of experienced general managers, and instead of recycling the same people from job to job, we’re developing our own talent.

We pair operations managers with seasoned GMs to build that bench strength. It’s a long-term investment, but we’re fully committed to it.

Have recent political transitions created any new challenges for agencies and their contractors?

Transitions always bring distractions. Naturally, agencies are trying to understand new priorities, navigate changes in funding, or adjust to shifting regulations. That can pull focus away from core goals like delivering safe, reliable transportation.

We’re hopeful that, as things stabilize, agencies and their partners can return to that shared mission. At the end of the day, the real challenge is the same: how do we keep providing quality service to communities? Everything else should support that.

New Initiatives and the Future at WeDriveU

Can you tell us about the new “WeDriveU Cares” initiative and its aims?

WeDriveU Cares formalizes what we’ve always believed in — local engagement. It’s a program that combines our community service efforts, volunteerism, and partnerships with our clients' goals.

We operate nationwide, but every community is different. What works in one city won’t work in another. This initiative helps us ensure we’re tailoring our operations to local needs and giving back meaningfully to each region.

It also supports recruitment and retention. When our teams are embedded in the community, they’re more connected, motivated, and aligned with the people they serve.

Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for WeDriveU...any new initiatives or innovations you’re excited about?

We’ll continue investing in technology, not for technology’s sake, but to improve employee and passenger experience. We’re not a tech company, so we rely on strong partnerships, but our operational footprint allows us to implement new tools quickly and effectively.

Whether it’s scheduling software, safety systems, or data platforms, we’re looking for anything that improves efficiency and enhances the rider experience. We’ll also keep growing our internal talent pool and finding ways to turn today’s drivers into tomorrow’s leaders.

This article, generated using OpenAI, was edited for accuracy and style and based on an episode of METROspectives