Mayor Madeline Rogero joined Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) in celebrating our city’s unsung transportation heroes with Transit Driver Appreciation Day on Tuesday, March 21st. At 2:00 p.m. at Knoxville Station’s Essie Johnson Community Room, Mayor Rogero recognized bus operators and reading a proclamation for Transit Driver Appreciation Day. In addition, a new art exhibit was revealed that features a variety of drivers and vignettes about their experiences behind the wheel, as well as artwork produced by several KAT bus drivers.
“Our friendly and professional bus operators have a huge impact in the community,” said Dawn Distler, director of transit for the City of Knoxville. “Our passengers rely on them to get to work, school and shopping, and our city relies on transit operators to keep our economy and workforce moving, reduce congestion and improve our quality of life.”
The positive impact of transit to a community cannot be understated, as it is estimated that every one dollar invested in transit yields a four dollar economic return. Transit as a transportation option can save a household upwards of $10,000 annually.*
Beyond the economic benefits of transit, the impact that bus operators have within the community is also immeasurable. As Distler stated, “Bus operators, in addition to safe operation of the vehicle, also act as counselors, listeners, and friends to their passengers. When not behind the wheel, you can find them coaching sports teams and volunteering their time. I am honored to work with them.”
KAT provided passengers with “thank you” postcards and encouraged them to give one to a favorite bus operator or two, and also to take “safe selfies” with operators and post them to KAT’s Facebook page.
*Source: American Public Transportation Association
