It is always a celebration when new bus operators join the Palm Tran team. After all, only those dedicated to meeting the demands of being a professional bus operator and adhering to strict safety standards complete the program. Palm Tran honored its newest class of eight bus operators at a special graduation ceremony on June 4, 2018. In attendance were: Palm Beach County Assistant County Administrator Faye W. Johnson, Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight H. Mattingly.
“Hiring the brightest bus operators is paramount to a successful transit agency. We are proud of our eight graduates for completing the program and embarking on this exciting new career,” said Forbes. “The training we provide ensures we have the most competent drivers on the road providing superior customer service and keeping safety at the forefront.”
To become a Palm Tran bus operator, candidates must pass examinations in customer service training, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sensitivity and a variety of other safety programs. Candidates also need to complete behind-the-wheel training that coincides with receiving their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
“Palm Tran's mission is to provide access to opportunity for everyone; safely, efficiently and courteously. The training ensures our bus operators are abiding by our mission statement,” said Director of Operations Sean Smith.
“This is one of the best classes we have had,” he added. “They had the best attitude and worked well together as a team. They had great comradery, and I do appreciate that.”
As a Palm Beach County native, Assistant County Administrator Faye W. Johnson spoke to the class from personal experience. In 1971, when public transportation began serving the residents of Palm Beach County, Johnson remembers how it opened a new world for her and her family.
“I remember as a child taking the bus… I thought we had hit the lotto,” she continued. “I had the opportunity to go to places I had never seen in a county that I was born and raised in. You can only walk so far!”
Family and friends attended to celebrate the momentous occasion. Bus Operator Graduate Aisha Marbury shared her enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead of her.
“There is no doubt that the transportation sector is the most critical part of our economy,” she said. “I graduated with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It was an overwhelming experience!”
