Marah Harris serves as fleet manager for Pierce Transit, overseeing an operation of 125 employees and nearly 900 vehicles, including buses, paratransit, rideshare and support vehicles. She’s described as a manager that exemplifies the qualities of a next-generation transit leader through her job commitment, achievements, innovative thinking and contributions to the broader transit industry. Her work over the past six years has had a direct and sustained impact on operational performance, employee engagement and long-term workforce development. 

Harris’ commitment to public transit is reflected in her focus on reliability, safety and service delivery. Leading fleet operations in an environment shaped by an aging fleet, infrastructure constraints and workforce shortages, she has maintained priorities on safety, fleet readiness and continuity of service. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in accountability, communication and proactive problem solving, enabling her team to deliver what’s described as high-quality results under pressure while fostering a culture of trust and performance.  

Under Harris’ leadership, Pierce Transit reduced coach changes by 16.6% and lowered road failures by 5% year over year. These improvements exceeded agency targets and aligned daily operations with strategic goals. These gains in reliability through Harris directly enhance the customer experience by reducing service disruptions and improving on-time performance.  

Additionally, Harris has implemented strategies that encourage employees to actively identify and mitigate workplace risks, strengthening safety engagement across her team. Her focus on industrial ergonomics within maintenance operations reflects a collaborative and forward-looking approach to reducing injuries and improving employee well-being. 

Harris has also led the development and implementation of a fleet quality assurance program using real-time applications to document, track and resolve quality issues while also recognizing employee performance. This initiative improved how fleet cleanliness and service quality are monitored. By engaging employees in evaluating service from the rider’s perspective, Harris created a more inclusive and accountable approach to quality.  In addition, she also introduced an enhanced vehicle cleanliness program that established standardized processes and targeted training. Together, these efforts have improved fleet appearance, reduced customer complaints and increased consistency across operations.  

Harris’ impact extends beyond daily operations into workforce planning and development. She works with community partners and local educational institutions to build a pipeline of skilled transit professionals. Through her collaboration with Bates Technical College, she has supported hiring pathways for graduates and expanded hands-on training opportunities. She also actively engages with high schools and community colleges to promote careers in transit and create accessible entry points into the industry. Further, she champions Pierce Transit’s apprenticeship programs in diesel technology, body work and communications trades, helping to develop the next generation of skilled workers.  

Harris has also driven measurable improvements in employee engagement. She introduced recognition programs that include peer-to-peer acknowledgment, milestone celebrations and formal recognition of certifications and service achievements. These initiatives led to measurable improvement in her department’s Gallup Q12 employee engagement survey score.  

Harris is a graduate of the Transit Next Leader Institute Advanced Program, where she gained national insight into transit challenges and best practices. She has applied these insights to improve operations and strengthen team performance at Pierce Transit. In addition, she has demonstrated executive level capability by successfully serving in the chief maintenance officer role on an interim basis.

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

Rather than a single defining moment, it’s been the influence of exceptional leaders and mentors throughout my career. Their guidance challenged me to grow, broadened my perspective and helped shape the professional I am today. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

What I enjoy most is the people. It feels like a family. We work hard, deliver results and have fun along the way without taking ourselves too seriously. I also enjoy the complexity of the work and the fact that no two days are ever the same. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

One of the most challenging parts of fleet management is balancing competing priorities, compounded by ongoing supply chain and parts lead times. You are constantly weighing vehicle availability, maintenance needs and service demands while also working around delays that can be far outside of your control. 

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

I’m most proud of the positive culture we’ve built in our maintenance shop. It’s an environment where people are eager to learn, share knowledge and continuously improve. Seeing employees engaged, motivated and committed to doing their best work every day is incredibly rewarding and, to me, one of the most meaningful accomplishments. 

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

I want to continue growing as a leader and expanding my impact on the organization and the transit industry. My goal is to earn a position on the executive team and, ultimately, serve as a general manager or CEO someday. I’m motivated by the opportunity to shape strategy, develop future leaders and help build a safe, reliable transit system that effectively serves our communities. 

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

You do not have to be the smartest person in the room to be effective. The best outcomes come from trusting the data, surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people and creating an environment where clear communication and accountability drive decisions. Strong leadership is about listening, aligning teams and ensuring everyone works toward the same goal.