For more than a decade, Steven Newsham has been a familiar face to riders of the Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA). As both a part-time bus operator and the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1345 (ATU), which represents his fellow operators, Newsham has built his second career around keeping Berks County moving — and making connections along the way.
BARTA plays a vital role in daily life across the county. On weekdays in the first quarter of 2025, an average of 14,300 riders used its fixed-route bus service. In 2024, that added up to more than 2.3 million trips. The system also provides shared ride paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities, helping residents maintain independence and access essential services. For many, these buses are more than just transportation — they are a link to jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores, and family.
Newsham, 68, began working for BARTA 12 years ago after spending three decades as a sheet metal worker in Philadelphia. After retiring from that career, he wasn’t ready to slow down. He took a position as a motor coach operator for a local company, driving passengers across state lines and through cities he’d never seen before.
Those long-distance “over the road” trips sometimes stretched for days at a time, with destinations as far as Iowa or New York. It was during those years that Newsham discovered how much he enjoyed working with the public.
“I realized I might have missed my calling,” he said. “I enjoy making friends with strangers. That’s what we do.”
At BARTA, Newsham now operates local routes — a shift from the cross-country pace of motor coaches to the steady rhythm of city and county streets. He worked full-time for 11 years before transitioning to part-time status, which allows him to balance driving with his union responsibilities.
Balancing two roles
A typical day for Newsham starts early — often by 4:45 or 5 a.m. He may drive a morning route, then spend part of his day addressing union matters. By early afternoon, his shift is often finished, but the phone can ring at any time. Operators know he’s the person to call when they have questions, concerns, or problems that need to be resolved.
“I’m not a magician, but I try to do my best,” he said. “They all know if they have a problem, where to go. Most of the time we’re able to work it out, and that’s a reflection of the relationships I have with management here.”
Those relationships, he said, have helped create an environment where disputes are handled through conversation rather than confrontation. He works closely with BARTA’s leadership to address issues quickly.
“When people say ‘union,’ a lot of times they think there’s arguing and fighting,” he said. “There really isn’t any of that here. There’s discussion, and that’s how we get things done.”
Training for more than driving
While passengers see operators behind the wheel, much of the job happens off the road. BARTA invests heavily in training, from annual computer-based courses to off-site de-escalation workshops.
“There’s mandatory education all year long,” Newsham explained. “It’s extensive — 40 to 50 hours a year, plus de-escalation training that’s mandatory for all of us.”
Those classes cover everything from safety protocols and customer service to handling unpredictable situations.
“When you open your door, you never know what your rider is going through,” he said. “If someone’s having a bad day, you can let it blow up into something bigger, or you can try to control it and de-escalate it. That’s part of the job.”
A community connection
For Newsham, the relationships he builds are the best part of the work. Riders recognize him on the street or in the grocery store, and conversations often pick up right where they left off.
“If I go to a local store or a mall, I’m going to run into someone I know — someone I’ve had on my bus who struck up a conversation,” he said.
Sometimes those connections happen in unexpected ways. On a recent ride from the transportation center, he joined two regular riders on a bus, chatting like old friends.
“It was like I was just another passenger,” he said with a laugh.
Operators also play a role in looking out for the community. They are trained to recognize when a passenger may be in distress or when something on the street doesn’t seem right, and they have direct lines to dispatchers and emergency responders.
“We’re out there to help the public as much as we are to transport them,” he said. “Transportation is a big part of it, but we’re also keeping an eye on what’s going on.”
Looking ahead
Although retired from his first career, Newsham isn’t planning to stop working anytime soon.
“As long as my health stays well, I intend on staying here and continuing what I’m doing — because I enjoy it so much,” he said.
For those considering a career in public transportation, he offers this advice: “Give it a shot. It’s not for everybody, but if it is for you, it’s rewarding.”
He said the determining factor is a person’s ability to handle difficult situations with patience and composure. “If you can handle the bad situations, the good ones are easy,” he said.
Life outside the bus
Away from the routes and union meetings, Newsham enjoys time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. They often gather at their second home in Bethany Beach, Delaware, where weekends are filled with family dinners and ocean breezes.
A Philadelphia native, he still carries a love for the city’s food culture — cheesesteaks and soft pretzels remain favorites. But it’s the connections he’s made in Berks County, he said, that keep him coming back to work every week.
“I’m happy to be here. I’m proud to be here,” Newsham said. “I intend on staying for a long time.”