It’s like driving to the moon and back, four times… without an accident.
During National Safety Month in June, two Metro bus operators are receiving awards from the National Safety Council for driving two million miles each without an accident. One of the award-winners is the first woman at Metro to receive this national honor. In the last 40 years, about 60 Metro bus operators have earned the achievement of being inducted into the “Two Million Mile Club.” Four operators, including Wells and Knapp, are current Metro drivers.
Deborah Wells, a Roselawn resident, is the first woman at Metro to be inducted into the National Safety Council’s prestigious “Two Million Mile Club” that honors bus operators for 30 years of accident-free driving. She has been a Metro driver for 38 years. Wells will be honored at the SORTA Board meeting on June 17, at 9 a.m., 602 Main St., 12th floor.
Dale Knapp, a New Richmond resident, will also be in inducted into the National Safety Council’s “Two Million Mile Club.” He has been a Metro bus operator for 33 years. Knapp, and more than 100 bus operators and mechanics, will be recognized for their successful safety records at Metro’s annual Safety Award Luncheon on June 4, starting at noon, at the Museum Center at Union Terminal. This event is not open to the public, but media are welcome to attend.
Metro is celebrating National Safety Month all June, with planned activities each week. On June 18, Metro’s employee Safety Committee will hold a Community Outreach Day from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Government Square’s Area D on Walnut Street. The committee, which includes bus drivers, maintenance, and administrative employees, will answer questions from the public and let passengers “see from the driver’s perspective” by sitting in the bus driver’s seat.
Metro was recently recognized as the first mid-size transit system to receive top honors for both safety and security from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), an organization representing the transit industry.
Metro works with drivers all year long ensure safety. In addition to on-street training, Metro uses a bus-driving simulator to make training more efficient, enhance new operator preparation, improve safety performance, and reinforce driving competencies.
