The Clallam Transit System governing Board has proclaimed March 18, 2017, as Transit Driver Appreciation Day in Clallam County, with the celebration to occur on March 20. This proclamation was made to tell the local public transit drivers that they make a difference every day to the people who they serve, to demonstrate the general public’s gratitude for the great service

that the Clallam Transit System’s transit drivers provide, and to celebrate the contributions of these hard-working transit drivers.

Transit Driver Appreciation Day was conceived in 2009 by some riders in Seattle. This is a great way to honor the many hard-working bus operators who keep people moving every day.

Locally, transit drivers, which include both fixed-route and paratransit modes of transportation, provide vital public service getting people to work, school, home, and to other destinations safely on a daily basis.

Operations Manager Steve Hopkins noted that “operating public transit buses and paratransit vehicles doesn’t just take physical skill but requires the ability to multi-task while providing great customer service.” He stated “Transit drivers manage to keep a schedule, check fares, secure mobility devices, give directions, announce stops, and remember stop requests, all for hours on end, while maneuvering large vehicles through unpredictable traffic, adverse weather conditions, and in some really tight places.”

He said transit drivers must also face frustrated riders when the bus is late, even when it’s because of traffic or other circumstances out of their control, and to continually provide courteous customer service.

So please join us in thanking our transit drivers on Monday, March 20, in celebration of Transit Driver Appreciation Day!