(Editor’s Note: see tips below for how to say thanks!)
It’s not easy being behind the wheel and at the controls every single day – but they’re the real pros who keep this community and economy moving. They make sure you get to the office, the classroom, the doctor’s appointment, the championships, the stadium concerts and the special times with family and friends.
Whether you are boarding a Metro or Sound Transit bus, the Doc Maynard or Sally Fox Water Taxi, a Link light rail car or a Seattle streetcar, or a paratransit van, join us in giving thanks.
On March 16 we’re celebrating International Transit Driver Appreciation Day, and we’re asking riders to say thank you. Take a moment to share your appreciation with any of King County’s nearly 3,500 professional transit operators.
Together, they earned more than 4,300 rider commendations in 2017 for their driving skills, helping people, and providing quality customer service.
Mobility is a human right, and transportation is essential for accessing opportunities in employment and education. King County employees deliver a service that strengthens our community and economy – safely maneuvering through tedious, unpredictable traffic and stormy weather.
Theirs is not an easy job, they just make it look that way.
How can you give thanks? Some suggested ways:
- Smile and say thank you or “Happy Bus Driver Day!”
- Write, film or perform a short, grateful ode. Beats-per-minute may vary.
- Perform an interpretive dance (but please don’t unnecessarily delay the whole bus with your “Rites of Spring Service Change” montage. Actually, that might be worth the delay.)
- File a commendation through our website (note the 4-digit coach number, route and time).
- Print and sign a “thank you” card from our website, or select and deliver your own card or note of appreciation.
- Shout out your route and say why your driver is great on social media, tagging @kcmetrobus on Twitter and Instagram and @KCMetro on Facebook, and use #TDAD and #MetroSmiles
- Not so much:
- The sentiment is appreciated behind baked goods and flowers (items which do not have economic value) and they can be accepted, but keep in mind they can be difficult for our drivers to accept from the public – especially while driving.
- Gift cards (like preloaded coffee cards), money and other gifts that have economic value can’t be accepted under county rules, so please instead consider other ways to say thanks (which we’ve outlined above.)
History: Listen to this 2017 KBCS interview with the Seattle-based founders and Carla Saulter who created and first promoted International Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
