Driving Success: How Business Development Powers Keolis’ Passenger Transportation Services

In the dynamic realm of public transit operations and maintenance, prioritizing reliability and efficiency is crucial. In a competitive landscape where many players are vying for contracts and talent, Keolis stands out because of our steadfast commitment to our values. We prioritize community needs, delivering on our promises to establish trust and credibility with partners and passengers alike.

Our demonstrated successes with employee engagement, community impact, and corporate social responsibility are major factors in our partners’ decision-making process. We incorporate these approaches in our new business development as well. Keolis kicked off two new contracts at the start of this year: one with Valley Metro in Phoenix and another with CapMetro in Austin. In Phoenix, we’re responsible for delivering operations and maintenance management for more than 30 fixed-route, express, and circulator bus routes. CapMetro represents Keolis’ largest bus contract in the U.S. and includes the operation of high-frequency routes, UT Austin, cross-town, regional, night owl, local, and commuter routes.

As ambassadors of the Keolis Way (described herein), our work is centered around driving innovation, expansion, and growth. From meticulously researching and crafting proposals to paying fair market wages to ensure equitable compensation, every decision is made with the well-being of Keolis employees in mind. As we identify growth targets and generate new opportunities, we aim to ensure that Keolis’ services not only meet but exceed expectations, driving success for both our clients and employees.

We’re passionate about cultivating meaningful partnerships, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and creating tailored solutions to address the evolving needs of transit agencies and passengers alike. From our perspectives, here are a few of the key qualities that set Keolis apart:

The Keolis Way:

Keolis Way is a global program that defines our common approach and culture. This provides a framework for continuous improvements that benefit our people, passengers, planet, and partners–the “four Ps” that undergird our daily work. At Keolis, our ethos revolves around enhancing everyday life in the communities we serve by imagining and operating safe and sustainable transit networks accessible to everyone. We work to cultivate meaningful relationships with our partners through open dialogue and transparency and ensuring that every member of our team feels valued and supported. We’ve worked to guarantee that our employees have a clear understanding of their roles within the company, Keolis’ collective direction, and the array of growth opportunities that lie ahead. Providing more than just a job, a salary, and benefits is essential to fostering a sense of belonging and commitment among our workforce. It's about recognizing the intrinsic value of being part of Keolis, where mutual support is ingrained at every level. Our dedication to fair compensation and talent retention not only reinforces this culture but also ensures that everyone's contributions are duly acknowledged and rewarded.

Knowledge Sharing:

Fostering a culture of camaraderie and mutual support among our employees is crucial to creating a healthy and satisfying work environment. With a diverse global network, we actively engage in sharing best practices with our international counterparts, facilitating knowledge exchange across different time zones. This commitment to collaboration not only distinguishes us as an employer but also strengthens our partnerships with public transit agencies. Our dedication to continuous improvement is also evident in our approach to startups. With each new venture, we glean valuable insights that inform our strategies moving forward, ensuring that lessons learned are seamlessly integrated into future initiatives to facilitate continuous improvement.

Resources:

In 2021, we set an ambitious goal: to increase the number of buses we operate using alternative fuels to 30 percent by 2030. Our Global Center of Excellence for Energy Transition is dedicated to supporting Public Transit Authorities (our partners) in their energy transition projects. At the same time, we’re doing everything in our power to control the environmental footprint of our activities. We currently work with Foothill Transit in Pomona, CA to lead the way on this journey. With 33 hydrogen fuel cell buses–the largest fleet in North America at the moment–Foothill Transit’s experience will shape the energy transition for our partners worldwide.

Innovation:

Our approach to innovation involves an iterative process of collaboration and brainstorming sessions with our partners to adapt and evolve our services, particularly considering the longevity of contracts that can span up to a decade. Keolis is not just a vendor–if our partners invest in us, we want to invest back and form true relationships. Through regular brainstorming sessions, we strive to introduce innovative solutions tailored to our partners’ evolving needs. By actively listening to our partners and understanding their requirements, we can effectively propose strategies that align with their goals and contribute to their success.

Conducting thorough research for our proposals, ensuring fair compensation to attract and retain top talent, and upholding high standards of service are integral aspects of our business development strategy. While business development plays a crucial role in our operations, it's essential to acknowledge that our success wouldn't be possible without the collective efforts of all Keolis transit employees. Each day, the work of our dedicated teams translates into meaningful journeys for passengers–whether it's reaching medical appointments, commuting to work, or enjoying leisure activities, thereby enriching the quality of life for our own people and the communities we serve.

At the end of the day, business development is not just about winning contracts; it's about driving success for Keolis, helping our partners meet their goals, and positively impacting the lives of our employees and passengers. By committing to our employees, our clients, and innovation, we continue to set ourselves apart as a leader in the passenger transportation industry. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our dedication to excellence and in our belief that by making transit people's preferred method, we can make a difference on a global scale.

Bryan Jungwirth, VP of Business Development for Keolis, has held various positions in the public transportation sector for over 30 years. Bryan started his career at Valley Metro RPTA in 1990 as the Manager of Operations and Contracts and later moved to Virginia Railway Express as the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. In 2016, Bryan joined Keolis as VP of Business Development. Bryan is passionate about gaining a real understanding of a client’s goals, how they want their system to evolve and improve, and how to make their life easier through mutual agreement on solutions to solve their concerns.

Sandi Hill, VP of Business Development for Keolis, an industry veteran, has been working in transportation for more than 30 years. She began her career in 1989 as a program manager, followed by a short stint in operations, and has served in a business development role since 1994. She joined Keolis in 2013 and works closely with the team on strategic planning and identifying annual growth targets. She is passionate about collaborating with clients and the broad Keolis team to ensure we offer a customized and evolving approach to operating service in the best interest of the communities we serve.