20 Metropolitan Transportation Authority Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with public transportation, your customer service skills, and your ability to work well under pressure. You may also be asked questions specific to the position you’re applying for, such as whether you have experience working with people who have disabilities.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Metropolitan Transportation Authority interview questions and answers.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Interview Process

The interview process at Metropolitan Transportation Authority can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, in general, the process is quite lengthy, and can take up to six months to complete. Additionally, the interviews themselves can be quite difficult, with questions that are unexpected and challenging. However, overall, the experience is generally positive, with friendly and professional staff.

1. What would you do if a passenger threw up on your bus?

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take to clean up the mess and ensure the safety of all passengers on board.

Example: “I have had this happen before, and I know it’s not something anyone wants to experience. In my previous position as a bus driver, I was driving when a passenger threw up in the back of the bus. I immediately pulled over and called for backup. Then, I asked everyone to exit the bus so I could clean up the mess. Afterward, I took the bus to the nearest garage where we cleaned it thoroughly.”

2. How many sick days did you take last year?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re a reliable employee. They want someone who can show up for work and not take many sick days. If you have any health issues, be honest about them in your answer. Explain that you’ve learned how to manage your illness so it doesn’t affect your job performance.

Example: “I took two sick days last year. One was because I had the flu and couldn’t get out of bed. The other time was when my son broke his arm and needed me to drive him to urgent care. I understand that taking too many sick days is unprofessional. That’s why I try to stay healthy by eating well and exercising regularly.”

3. Are you familiar with the train lines of NYC?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the train lines of New York City. If you do, share your knowledge and explain how it can help you in your role as a customer service representative.

Example: “I’ve lived in NYC my entire life, so I’m very familiar with the subway system. In fact, I use public transportation every day to get to work. I know that there are many different train lines throughout the city, and I am confident that I could direct customers to their destinations on any line.”

4. Do you think that the MTA is doing a good job in providing transportation to customers with disabilities?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand your perspective on the MTA’s current policies and procedures. Your answer should reflect that you are aware of the company’s commitment to providing transportation services to customers with disabilities, as well as its efforts in ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Example: “I think that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is doing a great job at providing transportation services to customers with disabilities. I have noticed that there are many subway stations that offer elevators for wheelchair users, which makes it easier for them to access public transportation. Also, I know that the MTA has been working hard to ensure that all buses and trains comply with ADA standards.”

5. What are some ways that we can improve our service for passengers with disabilities?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to think critically and creatively. Use examples from your experience that highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and teamwork skills.

Example: “I have worked with passengers who use wheelchairs or walkers before, so I know how important it is for transportation services to be accessible. One way we could improve our service for disabled passengers is by ensuring all of our buses are wheelchair-accessible. Another way would be to ensure that all subway stations have elevators and ramps for people using mobility devices.”

6. Have you had any experience working with people who have disabilities before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience working with people who have disabilities. If you haven’t had any experience, you can talk about how you would approach this situation if it came up in your role at MTA.

Example: “I’ve never worked specifically with someone who has a disability before, but I am very comfortable and open to learning more about different types of disabilities. In my last position, we hired an intern who was deaf, so I learned some basic sign language and ways to communicate with them.”

7. Would you be comfortable operating a bus or train during rush hour traffic?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle stressful situations and multitask. In your answer, demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “Yes, I have operated a bus during rush hour traffic before, and it was one of the most challenging days of my career. However, I remained calm and focused on getting passengers to their destinations safely. I also made sure to communicate with other drivers so we could avoid accidents. As a result, everyone arrived at their destination without any major issues.”

8. Why do you want to work at the MTA?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you’re interested in working for this company. It’s important to show that you have a passion for public transportation, but it’s also helpful if you can mention specific reasons why you want to work at MTA.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about public transportation because I believe it’s an essential part of any city. When I was younger, my family moved from New York City to Chicago, and we had to take the train everywhere. I remember how much I missed being able to just hop on the subway and go anywhere I wanted. That experience made me realize how important public transportation is to people who live in cities.”

9. Some of our positions require you to move around frequently, how well can you handle that?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your physical capabilities and how you handle moving around frequently. To answer, consider what the job entails and describe any experience you have with similar tasks.

Example: “I’ve worked in a warehouse for the past five years where I had to move boxes of varying weights throughout the day. While it wasn’t as fast-paced as working on a subway or bus, I still had to be able to lift heavy objects at times. I also learned how to use equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks to help me move larger items.”

10. Can you tell me about a time when you were faced with an ethical dilemma and how you handled it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you apply it in the workplace. When answering, try to describe a situation that was challenging but also one where you were able to make an ethical choice.

Example: “In my last position as a bus driver, I had a customer who was visually impaired. One day, he asked me if I could drive him home after his usual route because he forgot his cane at home. Of course, I told him I would be happy to help him out. However, when we got to his house, he invited me inside for some tea. I politely declined, explaining that I needed to get back on the road. He insisted, so I went inside with him. After spending 20 minutes there, I realized that I should have never left the bus unattended. I apologized profusely and explained that I didn’t want to break company policy.”

11. What kind of schedule flexibility do you need?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your availability and how it might affect the job. If you have a specific schedule that you need, let the interviewer know what it is. If you are flexible with your schedule, explain why you can work any time of day or night.

Example: “I am available for early morning shifts as well as late-night ones. I find that I perform best when I get eight hours of sleep each night, so I would prefer to work during normal business hours. However, if there was an emergency situation, I could adjust my schedule to accommodate.”

12. Tell us about a time where you had to deal with an angry customer.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “When I worked as a customer service representative for an insurance company, I had a client who was upset about the price of their policy. They were looking for ways to lower their monthly payments but didn’t want to sacrifice coverage. After listening to them explain their situation, I recommended they change their deductible so that they could save money on their premiums each month. The client was happy with this solution and thanked me for my advice.”

13. If two trains had conflicting schedules and needed to use the same track, what would you do?

This question is a test of your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. You can use it as an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are able to collaborate with other departments, such as operations or maintenance, to solve problems quickly.

Example: “I would first check if there was any way I could change the schedules so they didn’t conflict. If not, I would call for a meeting with all relevant department heads to discuss how we could best handle this situation. We would then come up with a plan to ensure safety for both trains and passengers.”

14. Have you ever worked with a team before? How was your experience?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teamwork skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you helped your team succeed and what you learned from that experience.

Example: “I have worked with teams before, but I’ve also been part of a project where we had to work as individuals. In my previous role, I was part of a team that focused on helping customers find information about our services. We were all responsible for different parts of the website, so we each researched and wrote content for specific pages. It was challenging at times, but in the end, we created an informative website that made it easier for customers to use our services.”

15. What would you do if a passenger refused to pay their bus fare?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you can remain calm in stressful situations while also following company policies and procedures.

Example: “If I encountered a passenger who refused to pay their fare, I would first politely remind them of our policy regarding payment. If they still refused to pay, I would call my supervisor for further instructions on what action to take next. I understand that Metropolitan Transportation Authority has strict rules about fare evasion, so I would make sure to follow all company guidelines when handling this situation.”

16. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake and how you fixed it.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you learned something new or improved upon an existing skill.

Example: “When I first started working as a bus driver, I was making my rounds through the city when I noticed that one of my passengers hadn’t gotten off at their stop. I pulled over and asked them if they were okay, but they didn’t respond. I immediately called for backup and then got out of the bus to check on the passenger. They had fallen asleep and were startled awake by me calling to them. After ensuring that they were okay, we continued our route.”

17. As an employee of the MTA, you will be responsible for helping people get from point A to B safely. How would you go about this?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to gauge your customer service skills and how you would interact with people who need assistance. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to help others in any way possible.

Example: “I am very passionate about helping people get from point A to B safely. I believe it is my responsibility as an MTA employee to make sure everyone gets where they’re going without incident. If someone needs assistance getting on or off the train, I will do everything I can to assist them. I also understand that if someone has a disability, I should provide them with additional support.”

18. In your opinion, what could the MTA do to better accommodate elderly customers?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you would apply them to a specific group of customers. Use examples from your experience working with elderly people or other special needs groups to highlight your interpersonal communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Example: “I have worked in the transportation industry for five years now, and I’ve noticed that many subway stations lack elevators. This can make it difficult for elderly passengers to get on and off trains. In my last position as a bus driver, I saw an older woman struggling to board the bus. She was carrying several bags and had trouble getting up the stairs. I offered to help her onto the bus and helped her find a seat. She thanked me profusely and said she appreciated the extra assistance.”

19. Describe a situation where you had to make a decision without having all the information available.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have the ability to think critically. In your answer, try to explain what information you did have available and how you made a decision based on that information.

Example: “When I was working as a customer service representative for a large telecommunications company, I had a situation where a customer called in asking about our most affordable cell phone plan. I told them we offered several different plans with varying prices, but I didn’t know which one would be best for their needs. The caller said they were looking for something simple and inexpensive, so I recommended a basic plan without any additional features.”

20. Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your customer service skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share an example that highlights your ability to solve problems and communicate with others.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a bus driver, I had a regular rider who was visually impaired. One day, he didn’t show up for his usual ride, so I called him to make sure everything was okay. He told me that he had lost his cane, but he would still like to take the bus to work. So, I drove out of my way to pick him up and dropped him off at work.”