Votran hires Robert Stephens as new general manager

Sunday
Jan 7, 2018 at 4:47 PM Jan 8, 2018 at 12:01 AM

Dustin Wyatt @Dustin_WyattNJ

DELAND — The new general manager of Volusia County's public transportation will oversee more than 200 employees, a fleet of 55 buses and steer a transition: A new bus route coming to State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach this summer.

Robert Stephens, who has spent the last five years managing a 50-bus urban transit system in southwest Texas, was hired Jan 1. as Votran's leader by RATP Dev, the third-party company the county contracts out to manage the public transportation service.

Votran's former manager, Stephen Sherrer, was moved to a new role with RATP Dev, providing oversight services to transit systems in the eastern United States, including Votran.

The county is paying RATD Dev, formerly called McDonald Transit, $11.1 million this year to manage Votran, the county budget shows. Stephens, who has more than 25 years of public transportation experience, was one of four qualified candidates the company presented to the county. Volusia officials then conducted interviews and chose a preferred applicant. Stephens was introduced to the County Council Thursday.

County Manager Jim Dinneen said he's confident in Stephens' abilities, given his resume.

"He not only has the technical skills, but I'm very convinced that he has the professional and social skills and the understanding of the clientele we are dealing with to really do a fantastic job," Dinneen said. "I don't know if anyone can fill Steve (Sherrer's) shoes, but this will get us as close as we can get."

Stephens comes to Votran in the midst of a push to serve more residents. Last year, the council approved adding holiday service to the bus routes, allowing patrons to commute on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Council members voted to give bus routes along Mason Avenue and Nova Road in Daytona Beach more frequent stops. Buses will start rolling along a new 22-stop route in New Smyrna Beach this summer.

"I'm excited to be here," Stephens told the council Thursday, joking that he didn't bring the cold weather in with him. "I'm glad to be here. It's an opportunity to help keep Votran the very best it can be."

 

Sunday
Jan 7, 2018 at 4:47 PM Jan 8, 2018 at 12:01 AM

Dustin Wyatt @Dustin_WyattNJ

DELAND — The new general manager of Volusia County's public transportation will oversee more than 200 employees, a fleet of 55 buses and steer a transition: A new bus route coming to State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach this summer.

Robert Stephens, who has spent the last five years managing a 50-bus urban transit system in southwest Texas, was hired Jan 1. as Votran's leader by RATP Dev, the third-party company the county contracts out to manage the public transportation service.

Votran's former manager, Stephen Sherrer, was moved to a new role with RATP Dev, providing oversight services to transit systems in the eastern United States, including Votran.

The county is paying RATD Dev, formerly called McDonald Transit, $11.1 million this year to manage Votran, the county budget shows. Stephens, who has more than 25 years of public transportation experience, was one of four qualified candidates the company presented to the county. Volusia officials then conducted interviews and chose a preferred applicant. Stephens was introduced to the County Council Thursday.

County Manager Jim Dinneen said he's confident in Stephens' abilities, given his resume.

"He not only has the technical skills, but I'm very convinced that he has the professional and social skills and the understanding of the clientele we are dealing with to really do a fantastic job," Dinneen said. "I don't know if anyone can fill Steve (Sherrer's) shoes, but this will get us as close as we can get."

Stephens comes to Votran in the midst of a push to serve more residents. Last year, the council approved adding holiday service to the bus routes, allowing patrons to commute on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Council members voted to give bus routes along Mason Avenue and Nova Road in Daytona Beach more frequent stops. Buses will start rolling along a new 22-stop route in New Smyrna Beach this summer.

"I'm excited to be here," Stephens told the council Thursday, joking that he didn't bring the cold weather in with him. "I'm glad to be here. It's an opportunity to help keep Votran the very best it can be."

 

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