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Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

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October 2, 2026

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Complete Coach Works’ Business Development Manager Mark Hollenbeck and METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sit down with Obed Mejia, Senior Technical Trainer for Bus Maintenance, at LA Metro to discuss how rapidly evolving bus technology is changing the maintenance shop — and the skills technicians need to keep pace.

Mejia shares how LA Metro approaches technical training, the importance of giving technicians hands-on experience with new technologies, and how collaboration through the California Transit Training Consortium is helping strengthen workforce development across the industry. The conversation also explores fleet replacement strategies, maximizing the performance and useful life of existing vehicles, and preparing maintenance teams for what comes next.

Topics discussed include:

  • How LA Metro is evolving its technical training approach as new technologies enter the maintenance shop.
  • The role of the California Transit Training Consortium in developing skills and supporting the transit maintenance workforce.
  • How fleet replacement, effective maintenance, and workforce preparation can help agencies get the most out of their fleets.

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Cover for Part 2 with AC Transit's Cecil Blandon

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In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.

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