Every day, MTS buses connect San Diegans to work, school, appointments and their communities. Behind those rides is a team that helps keep buses clean and a partnership that has created meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities for more than 20 years.
Since 2005, MTS has partnered with The Arc of San Diego to provide bus-detailing jobs for people with disabilities.
The Arc of San Diego is a nonprofit organization that supports people with disabilities through programs that help them develop skills, pursue personal goals and participate in their communities. Through its employment services, The Arc of San Diego helps individuals find and maintain jobs, with job coaches providing hands-on training and support tailored to each person's needs.
The team's work goes beyond appearances. Deep cleaning is an important part of maintaining MTS's fleet, addressing areas throughout each bus, including passenger seats, windows, handrails, floors and the driver's area. Keeping buses ready for the people who rely on public transportation every day.
Detailing teaches The Arc of San Diego clients more than how to clean a bus. Deep cleaning requires attention to detail and a consistent process, giving employees opportunities to practice their skills, take responsibility for their work and see the results of their efforts. They also develop practical skills they can use in other jobs, from following instructions and checking their work to communicating with coworkers and managing workplace responsibilities.
“They learn how to complete a task, how to stay with that task until it's complete, how to check that the work was done appropriately,” said Matt T. Mouser, Vice President and COO of The Arc of San Diego, “They learn how to clock in and out for a job, the responsibility of work and coming to work every day.”
For Mike, a client of The Arc of San Diego who has worked on the MTS detailing team since 2012, that work includes paying close attention to the details that help buses look their best. He takes particular pride in polishing bus doors until they shine. When asked how it feels knowing passengers see the results of his work, Mike said, “It's great.”
Job coaches play an important role in helping employees learn their responsibilities and build confidence. Lilly, a job coach with The Arc of San Diego, works alongside the detailing team to demonstrate tasks, break instructions into manageable steps and give employees opportunities to practice.
That support is individualized. Lilly rotates employees through different areas of the bus and different cleaning tasks so they can learn multiple responsibilities rather than being limited to one role. She also gives them opportunities to take ownership of their work.
“Everyone learns differently,” Lilly said. “So we work to understand each person's strength, to support their needs while encouraging independence and growth.”
For her, seeing employees accomplish their daily goals is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
“As a job coach, for me, it's fulfilling to get to see them operate in different avenues and able to accomplish their goals every day,” added Lilly.
Although The Arc of San Diego operates as a detailing contract, Mouser said MTS staff have made the employees feel like part of the workplace community.
“Everybody's invited to everything,” he said, describing shared celebrations and the everyday relationships that have developed over the years.
That sense of belonging matters. Employees contribute to MTS's work while gaining experience, strengthening skills and pursuing their own goals. Their contributions are not separate from the transit system's mission; they are part of keeping buses ready for the people who depend on them.
“The opportunities are important because one of the reasons we have contracts like this is because it's not always easy to get individual employers out in the community to open their doors and be excited about employing people with disabilities,” Mouser said.
The work can be especially meaningful because public transportation is already part of some employees' lives. Peter, another client of The Arc of San Diego and member of the detailing team, explained that riding with MTS is what motivated him to join the team. Now, he helps maintain the buses that passengers depend on, contributing to a service he knows firsthand.
As Lilly put it, “Having a disability does not mean someone cannot be a valuable employee.” With the right opportunity and training, people can accomplish meaningful things, and inclusive employment benefits individuals, employers and the community.
Every cleaned bus reflects not only the work that goes into maintaining the system, but also the skills, commitment and contributions of the people who help keep San Diego moving.
