Justin Sheldon is the general manager of Transdev’s contract for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Throughout his decade-plus career in public transit, he has worked at, overseen or supported 13 transit properties across the public and private sectors, including paratransit, fixed route, microtransit, multimodal and emergency response environments. He has served as a behind-the-wheel trainer, dispatcher, call center supervisor, safety and training manager, director of safety and later moved into public-sector contract oversight, project management, requests for proposals solicitation and regional coordination.  

In his current role with Transdev, Sheldon helps lead one of the largest microtransit systems in the country, supporting more than 30 zones that provide essential first-mile/last-mile access to jobs, healthcare, education and regional transit. He also oversees a paratransit system that delivers approximately 5,000 paratransit trips per day and 7,500 microtransit trips per day, transporting riders who rely on these services for medical appointments, employment, education and essential quality-of-life needs. 

Throughout his career, Sheldon has sought to contribute meaningfully to the industry and the communities. At L.A. Access, he supported agency-wide initiatives involving rider engagement, stakeholder presentation and regional coordination. He also served extensively in the emergency operations center (EOC) in various roles, including operations section chief, planning and intelligence, EOC coordinator and EOC director.  

As manager of accessible transit services at Valley Metro, he oversaw accessible transit across 19 jurisdictions in Maricopa County, Ariz., managing four operating contracts and key programs, including ADA eligibility and travel training, reduced fare programs and the platinum pass storefront. He also managed an administrative brokerage that expanded regional mobility coordination. 

Sheldon partnered with contractors to bring Valley Metro’s paratransit service to its most reliable state since the pandemic, reducing subcontractor use by nearly 50% compared to the previous turnkey model, strengthened oversight and restored rider confidence.  

During the pandemic, he was assigned as project manager for a senior meal delivery initiative in Los Angeles. Coordinating seven volunteer agencies, two food banks, five service contractors and the office of former city of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Sheldon delivered meals to older adults during a prolonged emergency activation.

Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today?  

I was drawn to public transit because it allows me to contribute to something bigger than myself. Transit connects people to opportunity, independence and community. Early in my career, I realized how deeply mobility impacts someone’s quality of life, especially for individuals with disabilities. That understanding shaped my purpose and inspired me to build a career focused on service, safety and meaningful impact. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than myself. Every community, project and operation is unique, and I love immersing myself in new environments, meeting new people and learning what makes each system work. No two challenges are ever the same, and I find real fulfillment in diagnosing complex needs and helping teams turn ideas into lasting improvements. A mentor once asked me, “What is your legacy going to be?” That question guides me in every role, and the most rewarding part of my work is seeing positive change continue long after I’ve moved on. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job?  

The most challenging part of my job is the weight of responsibility that comes with knowing decisions made in offices and conference rooms directly affect people’s lives, independence and daily routines. I take that responsibility seriously. Every day requires balancing the needs of riders, frontline employees, leadership and community partners, often with competing priorities. People are depending on me to get it right, and that responsibility drives me to lead with care, clarity and purpose. 

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?  

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is having the privilege to serve in this industry for 12 years. My career has taken me to so many communities, introduced me to incredible people and allowed me to work alongside some of the best teams and mentors I could ask for. What means the most to me are the riders who share how much our services and improvements have impacted their lives. Knowing that my work has helped strengthen mobility, independence and access for so many people is the greatest accomplishment I could ask for. 

What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career?  

In the future, I hope to help the next generation of professionals find their calling in public transit and to give aspiring leaders the same opportunities I was given. My career began because someone simply gave me a chance. I started at the very beginning and learned every role I eventually grew into, supported by people who believed in my potential. I want to pay that forward by opening doors for others, investing in their growth and helping them become the leaders our industry will rely on in the years ahead. 

What is your best advice you can share from your area of expertise?  

My advice to anyone entering the transit industry is to recognize how broad and interconnected this field truly is. From frontline operations to dispatch, maintenance, safety, finance, IT and even federal policy, every role contributes to the mobility and independence of the communities we serve, but above all, never compromise on safety - not even for a moment. Whether you’re developing budgets, writing policy or operating a vehicle, safety must remain the first priority. When we lead with safety, we build systems that are reliable, trusted and capable of serving people for generations.