Driving may seem easy to some, but try doing it for eight hours or more in a vehicle 40-feet long while you pick up passengers, answer questions, keep on schedule, give directions and more. Then add unpredictable traffic, bad weather conditions and some tight spaces. KAT operators handle all this and more every day while helping the people of Knoxville get where they need to go.
Mayor Madeline Rogero is proclaiming March 18 KAT Driver Appreciation Day in Knoxville at an event at Knoxville Station’s bus platform at 2 p.m. The Mayor will catch the bus to the event and will be honoring two of KAT’s outstanding bus operators for their good work, as representatives of the 150-plus operators that maneuver Knoxville streets every day.
The public is encouraged to attend the event, and special bus ‘thank you’ notes will be available to fill out and give to favorite bus operators throughout the day at Knoxville Station.
KAT’s Director of Transit Dawn Distler, began her career as a transit operator and knows the challenges faced by those who do it every day.
“I can really appreciate all that bus operators do each and every day,” says Distler. “The job requires patience, focus, and a lot of multi-tasking. I am happy to be honoring these great members of our KAT team.”
