Spotlight on: Reeya Shah, VP of Transit Operations at Via. Reeya and her team oversee Via’s public transit operations across the East Coast of the U.S. — from large urban networks to smaller community systems — ensuring that local residents can get where they need to go every day, whether that’s to work, school, or daily errands.
At Via, we’re reimagining public transit. We build technology and operations that elevate transit in every community to achieve one mission: making mobility accessible for all. For Reeya Shah, that mission is personal.
“A career in transit is more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. What we do every day changes people’s lives, that’s what keeps me here.”
As Vice President of Transit Operations, Reeya oversees public transit services spanning the East Coast, and no two days are ever the same to her. From driver recruitment and fleet management to rider support and system optimization, her team executes a unified model that keeps cities moving without the complexity of juggling multiple service providers.
She starts her mornings reviewing service performance, then spends the day connecting with general managers, city councils, and community organizations to ensure that every rider — whether they’re heading to work, a doctor’s appointment, or a senior center — can travel safely and affordably.
“Launching a new transit service takes a lot of work. There’s hiring, training, setting up maintenance, configuring software… even making sure we have a great coffee maker.”
For Reeya, the impact is what keeps her motivated. “I was speaking to a rider and they mentioned the fact that they were recently released from prison and so they didn’t have access to their license for at least a year. They are using the Via service in order to and from job interviews and get back on their feet.”
Reeya’s journey at Via also reflects the company’s commitment to growth and opportunity. She joined as a General Manager, and within three months moved into a Director role given the team's rapid growth, then a Vice President position a year after. “A career at Via really is what you make of it,” she says. “If you’re looking to grow and make a direct impact, there’s no better place to be. At the end of the day, enabling people in communities that need access to transit. That’s what makes this work deeply fulfilling.”
We love the work we do and are so proud to work with our partners around the world to build the future of transit. If you are interested in the work we do and want to join a team of highly engaged transit enthusiasts, you can see our opportunities here 👉 https://ridewithvia.com/careers/jobs
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Transcript:
As the VP of Transit Operations, your responsibilities must be vast. What does a day look like for you when launching and supervising the operations of Via’s transit networks?
Reeya: There is a lot that goes into making sure we are providing excellent public transit service for our riders. My mornings usually start with reviewing data and performance for the prior day, to identify what went well and what we can do better. From there, my day revolves around making sure we have lots of drivers providing great customer service, clean and safe vehicles, and that the quality of service is really strong, like low wait times.
In the afternoons, I meet with my team, who are General Managers running the day-to-day of our 50 transit operations on the East Coast, and I also meet with the municipalities that we are working with. I might go visit a local senior center to talk about our app, or a city council meeting to talk about the future of our service.
Launching a new transit network is no small feat. Can you take us behind the scenes of launching the Via service in Mobile, Alabama?
Reeya: Getting a new transit service is an exciting milestone for a community we are so happy to be a part of! Key workstreams include the employment of drivers, dispatchers, supervisors, management, etc., setting up facilities, making sure vehicles are ready for service, and setting up new technology. We worked really closely with the City of Mobile to make sure that we were setting everything up in accordance with their expectations and taking into account the unique considerations for Mobile, Alabama.
What do you love about a career in transit?
Reeya: I love the impact — that we are helping riders get to where they need to go, like to work, school, or medical appointments, supporting a community by giving drivers job opportunities
How has your career evolved at Via?
Reeya: I joined as a general manager on the team, and within a few months, just given the rapid growth, a director-level position was opened up, and I was considered for that, even though it had only been at Via for three months at that point. And a year later, a leadership role for that team overall opened up, and I was fortunate to be promoted into that as well.
What is your most memorable moment at Via?
Reeya: I was speaking to a rider, and they mentioned the fact that they were recently released from prison, and so they didn’t have access to their license for at least a year. They are using the Via service to and from job interviews and get back on their feet. Bringing in that option that very real transportation option for people is an impact I’m so proud to be able to have. A career at Via really is what you make of it, and there’s so much opportunity here. If you’re looking to grow and make a lot of direct impact, I really encourage you to take a look at our jobs page and come work with us here at Via.
Data Journalist
