CORPORATE – They get us to work, school or just out of the house. They get us home again in our “40-foot limos”. They excel in courtesy and safety is their number one priority. Sometimes, we tend to take them for granted.
This Friday, March 18, you can change that. It’s international Transit Driver Appreciation Day (#TDAD), and BC Transit is celebrating by saluting our extraordinary men and women behind the wheel.
“Transit drivers are responsible for the safe transportation of tens of thousands of people, in good weather and in bad,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “They deserve our respect, as well as our appreciation, for their patience and skill today, and every day.”
“All year long the men and women of BC Transit work hard to provide outstanding service to our customers,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “March 18 marks Transit Driver Appreciation Day and I invite the public to join me in thanking our drivers for delivering on the company’s core values of safety, integrity and customer service.”
This year, in celebration of our 1,350 operators across British Columbia, BC Transit has traveled to various communities and interviewed operators to hear their best transit stories (from the road). We have compiled these stories into video vignettes that are easily shareable on social media. You can find them on BC Transit’s Facebook page starting March 16, with new videos being released up until March 18.
Hear about how Operator Janice and a favourite passenger will sing when they are alone on the bus, and that sometimes they even sing the same song! You can also watch as Operator Dale recounts a moving experience where he was able to help a hearing-impaired passenger in distress.
Want to say “thanks” to your special driver personally? Have a look at http://transitdriverday.org/. There, you’ll find thank you cards which you can print off and give to your favourite driver(s). You can also use the hashtag #TDAD on social media to show your appreciation. And now, to answer the burning question: Why March 18? Tradition tells us that’s the debut of transit services – in Paris, 1662.
Media Contact
Drew Snider
BC Transit, Corporate Communications
media@bctransit.com
250-995-5720
