Transit Tech Program



The Transit Tech Program assisted many students pursuing careers in the transit industry by providing opportunities for learning, which eventually lead to job placement.  Eligible students received professional mentorship and were paid while they were enrolled in classes.

Transit Tech ensured that the transportation industry had employees with the skills that are necessary to adapt to technological advances:

  • Electric Vehicle Technology

  • Hybrid Technology

  • Compressed Natural Gas

  • Fuel Cell Technology


Additional Benefits:

After successfully completing a course, a student received a certificate of recognition and will be eligible to take the well-regarded ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) examination. Students were also awarded tools scholarships upon completing the program, worth thousands of dollars.


CNG Best Practices Project



TFLA in association with the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) created the Alternative Fuels Best Practices manual to further the use of alternative fuels in the transit industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate existing alternative fuels vehicles maintenance and training practices in transit agencies and to provide such information to the transit industry. Based largely on case studies and input from the project’s Task Force, this report provides an evaluation of key issues and recommendations from experienced agencies/maintenance personnel regarding the implementation of an alternative fueled vehicle (AFV) maintenance plan in transit operations. The creation of the project Task Force provided the means for transit agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and educators to exchange various levels of information on operation and maintenance.


Letter From Transit Tech Program Graduate


Dear TFLA,


First and foremost I would like to express gratitude for the praise and support that I have received from TFLA.  From the initial "Interview" to most recently a recommendation at Valley Power Systems, TFLA has given me more opportunities and support than anyone outside of my family.  It gives me much pride to be able to go forth and accept my career opportunity at Valley Power Systems; at their Corporate Headquarters as a Service Technician Apprentice (Full-time), under Mr. Rex Silvey.  I begin my tenure as early as July 25th, 2005 and will definitely make TFLA proud.

With no previous or formal education on Diesel Fuel Technology or how a diesel engine works, I decided to teach myself some basic principles of this new "environmently friendly" fuel by downloading PDF files from Valley Power Systems' Vendors web portals.  One of the main things that has just profoundly excited me; newer Diesel Engines (since 1992) are fully dependent on the Engine Control Module (Computer) for any operation at all.  Plus, the diagnostics tools and troubleshooting programs are more finite than those that I have experienced for Automotive Diagnostics ( OBD-II compliant ), which only gives a broad system to start looking in.

I have always known and prospered in all of my endeavors from simple motivation factors: acknowledgement, praise, future advancement, or just pure pride.  I'm grateful for the tool box that I received from the Pat Butters Scholarship Fund; but I'm fortunate to have acquired the acquaintance of an immense network of Transportation Professionals who enjoy their work.  With the doors that have been opened for me, I will surely offer my support towards the future "wave" of transit technicians.

Thank you for your ongoing praise and support!


Sincerely,


Bao M. Le

Pat Butters "Tool Box" Scholarship Awardee 2004