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    1. Management

    Palm Tran celebrates 10 spring bus operator graduates as hiring initiatives continue

    April 17, 2023
    The program involves classroom work, ADA training, weeks of driving a fixed-route bus with an instructor, as well as training in the agency’s core values.
    Palm Tran
    Pictured left to right on the bottom row: Records and Operations Analyst Gesselle Hernandez, Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes, Bus Operator Tracy Brooks, Bus Operator Raymond Johnson, Bus Operator Joseph Cineus, Bus Operator Mary Hargrett, Bus Operator Chelsea Coppel, Bus Operator De Nell Timothy, Bus Operator Pauris St. Val, Bus Operator LaTonya Simeton, Safety and Training Officer Fred Richardson and Bus Operator Loretta Fuegos. Pictured left to right on the top row: Bus Operator Aamer Semuel, Mayor Gregg K. Weiss, Bus Operator Jean Moise, Assistant County Administrator Todd J. Bonlarron, Commissioner Michael A. Barnett and InterimSafety and Training Operations Manager Delvon Meredith.
    Pictured left to right on the bottom row: Records and Operations Analyst Gesselle Hernandez, Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes, Bus Operator Tracy Brooks, Bus Operator Raymond Johnson, Bus Operator Joseph Cineus, Bus Operator Mary Hargrett, Bus Operator Chelsea Coppel, Bus Operator De Nell Timothy, Bus Operator Pauris St. Val, Bus Operator LaTonya Simeton, Safety and Training Officer Fred Richardson and Bus Operator Loretta Fuegos. Pictured left to right on the top row: Bus Operator Aamer Semuel, Mayor Gregg K. Weiss, Bus Operator Jean Moise, Assistant County Administrator Todd J. Bonlarron, Commissioner Michael A. Barnett and InterimSafety and Training Operations Manager Delvon Meredith.

    De Nell Timothy and nine of his fellow bus operators were all dressed in sharp blue and navy uniforms as they entered a room of cheering family members, all there to celebrate bus operator graduates.

    “I’m happy to start a career that allows me to take care of my family,” Timothy said. “I wanted to become a bus operator because my father was a bus operator for Miami-Dade. After we relocated to Palm Beach, I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become an operator for Palm Tran.”

    Timothy was one of 10 graduates honored for completing Palm Tran’s six-week training to become a bus operator at a Bus Operator Graduation Ceremony on March 21, 2023. The program involves classroom work, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training and real-life preparation that includes weeks of driving a fixed-route bus with an instructor. Additionally, drivers are trained on the agency’s core values with a concentration on safety, customer service and keeping on schedule, which is at the center of what truly transforms a driver into a Palm Tran bus operator.

    “I thank each and every one of you for your dedication and thank you to all your family members that came here to support and celebrate with you today,” said Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes to the new graduates. “You and your loved ones are all part of our Palm Tran family now. And look around, this audience is filled with directors, managers and staff from every department. You have an important job, and we are all here to make sure you can do your job safely and provide our residents and visitors with exceptional service. We are here to support you, and we congratulate you and welcome you to our team.”

    Sharing words of wisdom was Loretta Fuegos, who was named the Florida 2022 Bus Operator of the Year by the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA). Fuegos has been a bus operator with Palm Tran for 27 years and has a perfect driving record. In fact, she trained many of the graduates. Her message to the new drivers was one of Palm Tran’s core values.

    “You will face challenges every day, and some days will test you. The key to success in this industry is one word, respect,” she said. “Treat your passengers with respect and kindness and remember they are human beings. You can’t choose your passengers, but you can choose how you treat people. Treat everyone equally. You get back what you put out into the world.”

    The graduation was attended by Mayor Gregg K. Weiss and Assistant County Administrator Todd J. Bonlarron, among others. The keynote speaker was County Commissioner Michael A. Barnett, who reminded the graduates of their important role in providing county services.

    “Palm Tran is a uniting force within our community, it brings together individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds and professions,” Barnett said. “What you say and how you treat others is a direct reflection of the county. For many, you are the only point of contact they have regularly with the county government. Continue to be kind, courteous and timely and showcase how excellent it is to live, work and play in Palm Beach County.”

    All 10 new bus operators are already driving one of the 31 routes in Palm Beach County. Still recovering from the pandemic, Palm Tran continues to hire bus operations and will soon launch an in-house program for applicants to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License through Palm Tran. The special graduation ceremony is posted on Palm Tran’s YouTube page.

    Palm Tran
    Michelle Edwards Arnold, director at Collier Area Transit (CAT) presenting Loretta Fuegos, left, and Murray Seabrook with Operator of the Year awards.
    Palm Tran
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    Nov. 6, 2013