Derrick Breun is the chief operations officer for Veolia's first public-private partnership (PPP) contract at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. As COO, Breun oversees the daily operations for 230 vehicles which includes 119 buses, 66 streetcars and 45 on-demand vehicles. He also directs a staff of 359.
Under his leadership, the authority has realized improved service, greater on-time performance and reduced accident rates. Breun has proven his exceptional grasp of the complexity and uniqueness of the public transit industry.
His devotion to safety is apparent in every action he takes as COO. Under his guidance, the historic St. Charles streetcar line reports a 47 percent reduction in accidents. His promotion of safety training classes and activities has spurred significant safety awareness among operators and employees alike. He designed safety signs and slogans that are in use throughout the system.
Breun also brings to the table exceptional financial skills and has operated within the budget constraints that all agencies are confronting. He is a master at analyzing route performance versus cost, making adjustments to stay on budget.
Previously, Breun was the general manager for Veolia's Jefferson Parish Transit system from 2006 through 2008. Breun was instrumental in returning transit service to Jefferson Parish post-Katrina, including creation of the post-Katrina budget for the system, and working with the Federal Transit Administration on all issues relative to returning the system. He also worked with maintenance on reconstruction of a fully devastated fixed-bus, light-rail and paratransit transportation system. During that time, he implemented new demand response Lil' Easy services throughout the system.
Breun develops, implements and updates all operations including scheduling, safety regulations, employee benefits, company policies and procedures. He is instrumental in budgetary and funding on local and federal levels. Bruen coordinates with city staff, is the liaisons on behalf of Veolia with NORTA and works directly with the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Breun implements all new outreach to the riding public, including schedules, system maps, shelter maps, real-time data, and shelters.
Negotiations
"I really enjoy the relationships that I have created over the years. I always find the issues labor and management contend with amazingly interesting. I am very proud of the fact that of the union officials I have dealt with over the last decade, I could sit down at the end of the day with any of them and break bread and have a nice evening."
Going to Transit
"After five years working in political campaigns, which was my first love, my wife (Lauree) asked me to get a real job — and here I am 12 years later.
"My first job in transit was for a small “mom-and-pop” transit company, Louisiana Transit. Louisiana Transit was in business since 1931 and understood what it meant to live out of the farebox, and really understood what it meant that your customers actually paid your bills. It gave me a lot of respect for our customers' needs."
Providing for a Community
"I get to make sure people get to and from work every day, and in doing so I positively affect the viability of our city's economy.
"Transit needs a dedication to frequency, and expansion of services to the areas of greatest usage. Too often folks want to see expansion to the areas currently not served, prior to providing greater frequency on well-utilized routes. By pushing a frequency agenda, the industry will confirm to the everyday taxpayer that we are serious about moving choice users onto our systems, and providing reliable service to the base of our ridership."
Outside the Office
"Three years ago my wife, Lauree, told me I was working too much and needed to get a hobby. I used to fish when I was a kid, and I took it up as a hobby again. South Louisiana is the greatest fishing in the country and I absolutely love it. Nothing like a great day on the water, and filling an ice chest with trout, redfish and flounder. Next time ya'll come down, I will call Big Fish Charters, and take ya'll out!"
