|
December 12, 2001
Santa Barbara News-Press
Bus drivers go the extra mile
The Santa Barbara South Coast chapter of the National Federation
of the Blind honored Gwen Kennedy with its Bus Driver of the
Year award at the organization's holiday dinner on Dec.1.
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District driver does
an exceptional job assisting visually impaired bus riders by
verbally identifying key bus stops along her route. She has received
many compliments for going the extra mile for passengers.
Ms. Kennedy has been employed by the SBMTD since May 1990 and
spent her own time pursuing a training course to instruct new
drivers. She is now a Certified Driver Instructor by the Transportation
Safety Institute, a division of the United States Department
of Transportation, and assists MTD with on-the-road, new driver
evaluations.
Ms. Kennedy's generous spirit and local contributions also extend
to a recent volunteer mission with fellow bus drivers to help
deliver buses to needy communities in Mexico.
In November, she, Nancy Vargas and Gary Riley gathered in Lompoc
at 4 a.m. to drive three buses more than 250 miles to San Diego
on behalf of Aeromedicos, a non-profit health care organization
that acquired the buses from Santa Maria Area Transit (who originally
received these vehicles from MTD).
After logging more than 800,000 miles on the streets of Santa
Barbara, the buses required a little extra boost; so two MTD
mechanics, Richard O'Reilly and Tim Cardona, volunteered their
skills. In fact, at a moment's notice, Mr. O'Reilly traveled
from Buellton to Lompoc on the morning of the departure to help
get the buses on the road.
Dr. John Grube, a local dentist and chairman of the board for
Aeromedicos, said "The MTD employees deserve a lot of credit.
They did a super job once again and we are very, very grateful."
MTD employees previously united to help Aeromedicos in May 1999.
MTD retired a 40-foot Amercan General bus that a committee of
employees quickly raised funds to purchase so it could be donated
to the Rotary Club of Mulege, Mexico. This bus has been providing
a valuable service to this remote, rural community ever since,
transporting its residents to health care facilities and schools.
|
