Transit Services Celebrates 50 Years

Paul Jablonski with photo of him and friends in front of bus in 1970s — Paul Jablonski was a bus driver on campus in the 1970s. Now, he is CEO of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

Transit Services celebrated its 50^th anniversary of providing public bus service for the campus community on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15.

Around 160 alumni, spanning the full 50 years, attended the weekend-long celebration.

The weekend began with a reception in Old Chapel. Paul Jablonski, a former campus bus driver and current CEO at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, was a featured speaker.

Jablonski came to UMass originally to pursue a pre-med curriculum but took a part-time job as a bus driver, since he had experience driving trucks on farms in Hatfield, MA.

Of his time working for transit services in the 1970s, Jablonksi said, “It’s what started my career. It is the entire experience here, including the education. It was a phenomenal learning experience.”

Since graduating, Jablonski has held a number of jobs within the transportation industry in both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

He says he finds fulfillment working in the industry. “It’s a vital component of our society. It gets people where they need to go,” he adds.

Following the reception in Old Chapel, alumni participated in activities like a tour of the transit center, a trip to Yankee Candle and lunch and dinner gatherings.