Press Release: Hands on Experience at the SolTrans’ Maintenance Yard

NEWS RELEASE
Friday, February 7, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hands on Experience at SolTrans Maintenance Yard

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Vallejo, CA – On January 21, 2020 SolTrans and National Express Transit kicked off their first Maintenance Internship Program. The two-year, paid internship is a dream come true for National Express Maintenance Manager, Anthony Alves. Anthony created this program to give hands-on experience in a fully functioning maintenance garage to students pursuing a career in automotive technology. He saw an opportunity to utilize the students enrolled in the Automotive Technician Program at Solano Community College (SCC) and the need for recently certified mechanics to replace those retiring.

Four interns made it into the inaugural technician internship: Juan Eddie Ortega, Demadjeo Simon, Francis Nanalis and Tim Mates (pictured). All were required to have completed a maintenance related course at SCC within the last 2 years and hold a valid driver’s license. Alves decided on the finalists for the internship by looking for one final thing: the hunger to learn.

SolTrans has a very diverse fleet of buses that provide local service in the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, SolanoExpress buses that provide connections to BART and Amtrak, and Paratransit buses for individuals with disabilities. The more diverse the service needs, the more knowledge and skills are needed to support the various types of vehicles that provide the service. The bus fleet itself is diverse because it is comprised of vehicles from different manufacturers and uses different fuel sources: diesel, diesel-hybrid, all-electric, and compressed natural gas (CNG).

“Whatever problem comes our way, we fix it,” says Alves. The partnership with SCC is helping SolTrans pave the way for prepared and experienced automotive technicians to fix any and everything.

If you’re interested in applying for the Automotive Technician program at SCC, head over to their site to apply for admission. “The Automotive Technician program prepares students for entry level careers as apprentice technicians, parts specialists, service consultants, or specialists in one of the many areas of the automotive service and repair industry.”

As always, SolTrans enjoys partnering with community organizations to create programs and opportunities for Solano County residents. If you are interested in a career in transit as a bus operator visit their Job Openings page.

Solano County Transit (SolTrans) has been the public transportation provider for south Solano County since July 2011. SolTrans provides local and SolanoExpress fixed routes, complementary paratransit, and subsidized Lyft programs. The agency is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that is governed by a six-member Board of Directors, composed of two representatives from the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, Solano County’s representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and a representative from the Solano Transportation Authority.

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