Transit Driver Appreciation Day

CENTRAL FRASER VALLEY – Tomorrow is Transit Driver Appreciation Day. BC Transit, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), City of Abbotsford and the City of Chilliwack are 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 thank operators when they depart the bus.

A total of 117 operators provide public transit services in the Central Fraser Valley, and all have unique strengths they bring to the job every day. One of those operators is Lorri O’Neill, a 15-year transit veteran. Lorri is both an operator and a driver trainer. Lorri’s employer, First Canada ULC, contractor of BC Transit services in the Fraser Valley says she is an exceptional driver who is reliable, courteous and well-liked by customers on her Abbotsford routes.

“Every day transit drivers go above and beyond to perform tiny miracles on behalf of their customers,” said Abbotsford-Mission MLA Simon Gibson. “It takes great skill and patience to be a BC Transit driver and they deserve our sincere thanks.”

“I am always impressed by our transit drivers and the friendly, professional and courteous service they consistently provide,” said Chilliwack Mayor and FVRD Chair Sharon Gaetz. “Transit Driver Appreciation Day provides us with an excellent opportunity to thank them for their dedication to our community.”

“Transit drivers provide an invaluable service to our community; many of us couldn’t get where we need to go without them,” said Abbotsford Mayor, Bruce Banman. “I encourage residents to join me in thanking our transit drivers for the outstanding public service they provide all year long.”

“For 365 days of the year, the men and woman of BC Transit work hard to provide outstanding transit services 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.”

For more information on routes and schedules please consult www.bctransit.com/regions/cfv

Media Contact:

Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
media@bctransit.com
ph: 250.995.5720