By Mey Lyn Mitteen
Metro | The Source
Roman Alarcon’s first job behind the wheel was driving school buses. Then one day, a neighbor – who worked as a bus operator with the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD, the agency now known as Metro) – teased him, saying he probably couldn’t pass the bus operator test. Alarcon took the challenge personally.
“I can pass any test,” he told himself. He applied to be a bus operator at RTD – and passed – starting what would become a 39-year career dedicated to transit and the people of Los Angeles.
What started as a part-time gig soon became a calling. Roman became a full-time employee and, by 1990, moved into supervision on the bus side.
Soon after, he made the leap to rail, joining the startup team preparing to open the Red Line (now the B Line). He later helped open the Green Line (C Line) and worked in the rail control center, learning how to keep trains running safely and on time – a skill that would shape the rest of his career.
Since those early days, Alarcon has worn nearly every hat in bus and rail operations. Controller, assistant manager, manager, director – you name it, he’s done it.
“I’ve been a supervisor on every line with the exception of the K and E,” he said proudly. That experience gives him a deep understanding of what his teams face every day.
In 2010, Alarcon became an executive overseeing both bus and rail operations. By 2022, he was named senior executive officer for Transit Service Delivery, overseeing all six rail divisions, the bus operations control center, hundreds of field supervisors – and the budget that keeps this department running. He also receives dozens of calls every day from operations staff, working to resolve issues in real time.
“I make sure we have the manpower – operators, supervisors, managers – the right equipment and that the service we promise to the public is delivered,” he said.
That promise is what drives him through long days and constant phone calls. He recalls one decision that had an immediate impact on service: years ago, delays at 7th/Metro were piling up as the A and E Lines shared platforms. Roman pushed for a simple but effective fix – designating one side for A and the other for E. Sometimes changes like this ripple across the system, improving the experience for thousands of riders.
But his proudest memory is personal: the opening of the Gold Line in 2003. Alarcon managed the project from start to finish.
“It was my baby,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “To see it completed was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.”
Even with an executive title, Alarcon prefers being out in the field. He regularly visits bus and rail training classes to meet new employees and set expectations for the job. On Fridays, you’ll often find him at stations checking if trains are on time, talking with riders and chatting with operators.
“When you explain to people why we’re doing something, they understand,” he said.
Alarcon also knows most employees by name – including train operators, who are usually identified only by number. Remembering their names is just one way he shows how much he values personal connections.
“That creates trust. And I love being out there – not just in my office, but with the public and the operators who make this system run.”
Alarcon’s story begins far from LA, in the small town of Presidios, Durango, Mexico. He immigrated to the U.S. at age 12, first settling in Oakland. Just two years later, after moving to LA, his father passed away, leaving his mother to raise the family. Roman credits her with teaching him the discipline and work ethic that shaped his career.
“She was the tough one,” he said. “She made sure we were on time, that we had standards. That’s why I expect the same of myself and my employees.”
Alarcon still honors the traditions of his hometown. Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 24, Mother’s Day on May 10, and every Jan. 6, he brings Rosca de Reyes to work. His favorite dish? Chile rellenos stuffed only with cheese – plus Durango-style sweet enchiladas with a touch of chocolate. Spanish also remains the first language at home with his daughters and grandchildren.
“They all learned Spanish first and then English,” he said. “It’s a way to keep our heritage.”
When he’s not at work, Alarcon is usually at the baseball field. A lifelong Oakland A’s fan, he has coached youth baseball for years, guiding teams of boys from age 6 through 14. Married for 36 years, Alarcon has two daughters and four grandchildren who inspire him to keep setting an example.
For Alarcon, Hispanic Heritage Month is about more than celebrating identity – it’s about honoring responsibility and showing the next generation what’s possible.
“It’s important to show where we came from,” he said. “But it’s just as important to learn about other cultures, so we can truly understand one another – because in LA, we all come together.”
For those who would like to follow a career in transportation, Alarcon said it’s important to believe that leadership positions are within reach.
“Follow your dreams and never give up,” he said. “If someone tells you no, … you just keep trying.”