Thank you fellow bus operators and President Futhey

Bus companies are comprised of many departments and each department relies on one another in order to be a successful operation. But rarely do the bus operators get the credit they deserve. The daily elements that they face would make a lot of people second-guess their career choice.

The SMART Transportation Division bus operators are by far some of the most well-trained and highly motivated drivers in the industry. Each day, we go to work because we know the passengers that we carry depend on our services to get them to their places of employment, doctor appointments, school, supermarkets or anywhere they choose to go.

We are in an industry that operates 365 days a year and in a lot of cities, 24 hours a day. And because of this, we miss out on spending holidays with family and friends, because every day is a work day.

We must keep a smile on our face when we deal with unruly passengers, because they refuse to accept that all things are not perfect, and sometimes the schedule can’t be kept.

Our members have to deal with the germs from the cold and flu seasons that the passengers spread when entering and exiting the bus.

We have to deal with the traffic and weather conditions on a daily basis.

After all the things we deal with on the streets, we then return to bus depots, where overzealous supervisors attempt to disrespect us in some way.

So, to all SMART TD bus operators, I want to say thank you for a job very well done.

Another person I would like to thank is SMART TD President Mike Futhey. I’m sure you are aware by now that President Futhey has stated he will be stepping down. President Futhey made sure that I, along with Bus Vice President Bonnie Morr and Alternate Bus Vice President – West Brian Donald, had the necessary resources to better serve our bus dept members.

On behalf of the Bus Department and our bus operators, I would just like to say thank you, and that we wish you the best in all of your future endeavors.