‘A rare and remarkable achievement’: Operator celebrates 50 years with Metro

A Metro light rail and bus operator was honored today for a half-century of service with the agency.

Mike Gorham, praised as a kind, cool-headed and hard-working public servant, began his career at a time when operators still made change for fares by hand, and ended it by driving some of the most high-tech light rail trains around.

Friends, family, co-workers and agency leaders from Metro and Sound Transit honored Gorham with a celebration attended by dozens.

Metro General Manager Michelle Allison observed Gorham’s career almost perfectly dovetailed with the years of Metro itself. The agency just celebrated its own 50^th anniversary.

“You have worn every Metro logo on your sleeve,” Allison said. “And when Sound Transit and Metro formed this incredible partnership to run light rail service in King County, you were among the first to wear both agency logos. 

“I am so proud to be King County Metro’s General Manager because of people like you. You have represented the best of Metro, for all of Metro’s history.”  

Gorham, 75, said he became an operator by almost by chance.

“I had just got out of three years in the Army,” he recalled. “I took a year off and then started looking for a job. Metro was hiring. An old Army buddy of my dad was an operator, and he talked me into it.”

Gorham started his career in 1974 driving a route in the Renton Highlands. When he decided he wanted to take weekends off, he transferred to drive buses out of a base at Dearborn Street, “which were all stick shifts no wanted to drive” but which did give him Saturdays and Sundays off.

He couldn’t resist moving over to Link light rail in 2008 when the first trains were getting ready to roll. (Metro supplies the operators for Sound Transit Link light rail.) “It looked interesting,” Gorham said. “I just wanted the opportunity to play with the trains!”

Shannon Braddock, Deputy King County Executive, called Gorham a legend among operators, saying 50 years represented “a rare and remarkable achievement”.

She added:

“You have safely transported countless passengers to their destinations, through good and bad weather, through traffic, through construction and around detours. Throughout it all, you’ve shown a friendly and courteous face to everyone who boarded your train or your bus. You’ve modeled professionalism and dedication to your job and your community.

“The people of King County owe you so much for your service.”

Throughout the years working with you, it was a pleasure to know you. I truly can say you are highly respected and appreciated as my fellow operator. Job well done: 50 dedicated years of service. 

I will certainly miss your kindness and calm demeanor.

 

As a co-worker of Mr. Mike Gorham, I would like to say that I am grateful for knowing him. In my opinion, he is the role model for all of us as a professional employee. Thank you, Mr. Gorham, for your friendship as well as being a great role model.

 

 Mr. Gorham has been a great example for a new operator (such) as myself in professionalism, dedication and comradeship. I remember talking with Mr. Gorham as a new operator and asking him if he liked his job. He said ‘Yes, I wouldn’t continue doing it if I didn’t enjoy it.’ That was important for me to hear as a new operator and has helped me keep a positive attitude while maintaining a good work ethic, emphasizing safety, service and schedule.