Show your gratitude for Transit Driver Appreciation Day
Posted March 17, 2014 11:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It can be a thankless job and can even be downright dangerous at times but it’s an absolutely essential one. Of course we’re talking about transit drivers. Tuesday is Transit Driver Appreciation Day so don’t forget to thank your driver for getting you where you’re going.
Most drivers are exposed to the good, the bad and the odd over the course of their careers.
You often hear about the abuse drivers endure, but there are good moments as well and also ones that just make you laugh.
Lorri O’Neill has been driving buses in Abbotsford for 20 years and says she’s seen it all, but an arguing couple stands out as one of the strangest moments.
“As you’re pulling up to them there’s something happening right. Well this argument continues and then all of a sudden the guy turns around and says ‘well what would you do if you walked in and I was in bed with your best friend? And I was like ‘oh my god, I can’t believe they did that,'” says O’Neill.
She adds there is the occasional bad incident but those are out-weighed by the good ones and regular passengers, some of whom have become like family over the years. While there are days where she has to deal with rude customers, there are lots that put a smile on her face.
“Somebody getting on the bus and saying good morning and I’m glad it’s you this morning. They become family over 20 years, you see them on a regular basis. They’re telling you things that happen, it makes you feel good they confide and trust in you.”
O’Neill says when she first started 20 years ago a rude or complaining passenger would upset her, but now she says she’s determined to lighten people’s day if she can.
