VICTORIA _ Tomorrow is Transit Driver Appreciation Day. BC Transit is celebrating on March 18, 2014 by saluting some of the extraordinary men and women who go the extra mile (kilometer) to safely provide exceptional customer service.
Why March 18? It is believed to be the debut of transit services in Paris in 1662. For more details on Transit Driver Appreciation consult http://transitdriverday.org/ On the website, you will find transit driver thank you cards. BC Transit encourages our customers to print off a card for their favourite driver or to simply continue with the beloved Victoria practice of personally thanking operators when departing the bus.
In the Victoria Regional Transit System, Barry George is putting the brakes on an incredible 40 year career. Barry spent decades behind the wheel and became a proud member of BC Transit’s Million Miler Club (delivering more than a million miles of safe driving). Barry is also a well-respected driver trainer who has mentored dozens of operators and safety and training officers.
When Barry wasn’t behind the wheel, he was a champion for children with life-threatening illnesses. When Barry’s friend and fellow transit driver, the late Rick Thomas, founded the Help Fill a Dream foundation; he quickly became an active volunteer. Through Rick and Barry, BC Transit employees have donated more than $500,000 to Help Fill a Dream and have made hundreds of children’s dreams come true. Watch Barry’s story on BC Transit TV.
“For getting countless people to and from their destinations safely, and in all kinds of weather, transit drivers deserve our appreciation,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “It is a highly-skilled job that carries a great deal of responsibility and I thank them for their dedication on Transit Driver Appreciation Day and every day.”
“Barry George has been a terrific ambassador for BC Transit and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “On Transit Driver Appreciation Day I would like to thank all of our 650 operators in the Victoria Regional System who deliver on our company’s core values of safety, integrity and customer service every day.”
For more information on routes and schedules please consult www.bctransit.com/regions/vic
Media Contact:
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
media@bctransit.com
ph: 250.995.5720
