Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month (March-April 2024)
They are musicians and farmers. They travel, camp, play sports and volunteer. One made their first trip into downtown Seattle after getting behind the steering wheel of a Metro bus!
They are operators with two-and-a-half centuries of driving experience. The operators on your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community.
Meet your Operators of the Month for March and April 2024
We love to hear from our riders about their operators! Please share your comments about our drivers. Interested in becoming a transit operator? Visit “Start your Metro career” to explore well-paying positions with full benefits and a pension in transit operations, trades, rail operations, customer information and countless other fields.
(Information provided by the operators)
Atlantic Base | March 2024: Ronelle McGraw
Ronelle joined Metro in 1998 as a part-time operator. He has been recognized for multiple years of safe driving and has received 13 commendations.
Born and raised in Seattle, Ronelle attended Cleveland High School. He has a doctorate in Theology.
When not driving, Ronelle enjoys traveling. He and his wife have been married for 34 years and they have two children.
Ronelle’s advice to other operators: “Stay cool. Customer service is No. 1!”
Passenger praise: “Thank you for stopping for me when I was running to catch the bus. I made it to work on time!”
Atlantic Base | April 2024: Latamla Bailey-Townsend
Latamla joined Metro as a part-time driver in 2003. Along the way, she has collected multiple safe driver recognitions and 150 commendations!
Born in Seattle, Latamla has a master’s degree in Religious Education and a real estate brokers license. Latamla joined Metro to support her family while she focused on her life’s purpose.
She has a husband and son. When not driving, Latamla enjoys playing drums and saxophone, drawing, and volunteering at events to build people up.
Latamla’s advice to other operators: “A bus driver is not the sum total of who you are. It’s only what you do. Therefore, remember if you only live by people’s praises, you’ll die by their criticism. Keep your power.”
Passenger praise: “She is extremely friendly and welcoming to all. She gives a good morning message as we travel downtown and says, ‘have a great day’ at every stop.”
Bellevue Base | March 2024: Peter Scott
Peter has been driving for Metro since 1992. Peter has been recognized for numerous years of safe driving and has received many commendations.
Peter was born and raised in Monterey, Calif., moving to Seattle in 1972.
Peter is very active at Metro. He is involved with the Safety Committee, is the chief Shop Steward at Bellevue Base and he recently completed a Special Duty Assignment with Metro’s System Impacts Division.
An avid outdoorsman, Peter also loves motorcycle touring and mountain bike riding. He is a proud father of five children and three grandchildren.
Peter’s advice to other operators: “Very few passengers try to ruin your day. Most just want to go somewhere, so don’t let the ‘few’ ruin your day.”
Passenger praise: “He helped us find a place to park our stroller on the bus and took the time to let us get situated before taking off. THANK YOU for your kindness tonight.”
Bellevue Base | April 2024: John Wessel
John started driving for Metro in 2007 and has been a full-time operator since 2008. He has achieved several years of safe driving with 15 commendations.
A graduate of University of Colorado, Boulder with a bachelor’s in Political Science, John moved to Seattle in 1995.
John has two daughters and three grandchildren. He enjoys skiing in the winter and boating in the summer.
John’s advice to other operators: “Remember your five P’s – prior planning prevents poor performance.”
Passenger praise: “He put the ramp down for me as I was riding with my infant daughter and got up to make sure we were secure. I am grateful he went above and beyond to serve us.”
Central Base | March 2024: Kumsa Waktola
Kumsa joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2018 and has been full-time since 2019. He has several years of safe driving with three commendations.
Kumsa became a transit operator because he enjoys helping the community and getting to interact with all the different people around our region.
Kumsa has a family of four children. When not driving, he likes watching reality TV, volunteering in his neighborhood, and spending time with friends.
Kumsa’s advice to other operators: “Do what you love, love what you do.”
Passenger praise: “The driver saw a truck trying to merge into the same lane as the bus. The driver slowed down to let the truck enter and keep the passengers safe.”
Central Base | April 2024: Allan Hall
Allan joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2018. He has several safe driving recognitions and 15 commendations.
Allan was born in Roseville, Mich., and served for eight years in the U.S. Army, achieving rank of Sergeant E5. He moved to Seattle in 2015 and became a transit operator because he enjoys helping people.
When not driving, Allan enjoys playing basketball, playing jazz bass guitar, running, and long-distance walking.
Allan’s advice to other operators: “Always do your walk-around and stay in your mirrors, including the small ones.”
Passenger praise: “Riding with this driver is my best experience in Seattle so far. He made the ride so much better with his humor and positive attitude.”
East Base | March 2024: Alvin Guico
Alvin joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2007 and went full-time in 2016. He been recognized for multiple years of safe driving and has two commendations.
Alvin was born in the Philippines and attended the Hazen School. He joined Metro because likes driving and being with people.
When not driving, Alvin can be found on the basketball court or playing table tennis.
Alvin’s advice to other operators: “Look at your mirror before pulling out.”
Passenger praise: “The driver showed up exactly on time at the park & ride and made every effort to get to the next stops safely. We want him as our everyday driver.”
East Base | April 2024: Kevin Voelker
Kevin joined Metro in 2016 and went full-time a year later. He has been recognized as a safe driver several times and has received two commendations.
Kevin was born in Federal Way and grew up around northeast Tacoma and the Federal Way area. He attended Stadium High School and worked in safety and security before becoming a transit operator. When not driving, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, playing video games, reading and traveling.
Kevin’s advice to other operators: “Work does not define you, you define the work.”
Passenger praise: “He drives super safe and efficiently.”
North Base | March 2024: Tim Wilson
Tim started as a full-time operator in 2003. Recognized as a safe driver multiple times, Tim has also received two commendations.
Prior to joining Metro, Tim served in the Army National Guard for seven years with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He became an operator because of Metro’s pay and benefits.
Married for 27 years, Tim and his wife have nine children, ranging in ages from three to twenty-two. He and his family currently run a small farm north of Seattle breeding goats, geese, ducks and chickens. He enjoys the outdoors, fitness, and music.
Tim’s advice to other operators: “Be patient, talk to passengers nicely and drive safe.”
Passenger praise: “This driver is amazing. He is always cheerful, friendly, and professional. He acts in a caring and courteous manner.”
North Base | April 2024: Toni Cruz
Toni Cruz started as a part-time operator 1998 and went full-time that same year. She has been recognized as a safe driver numerous times had has received six commendations.
Born in El Dorado, Kan., Toni grew up in the Chelan and Wenatchee areas. Toni became an operator when, as a single mother of two sons, she was waiting tables and a customer, who was an operator, gave her an application to fill out. The first time Toni drove in downtown Seattle was as a Metro Transit operator.
Toni enjoys getting out of the hustle and bustle of King County and camping with her significant other in their RV. They spend time on their beach property where it is always peaceful and relaxing.
Toni’s advice to other operators: “Smile, they don’t know what you are thinking.”
Passenger praise: “She is an exceptionally good driver. She also has a very pleasant way with her passengers, always with a ready smile and helpful attitude.”
Ryerson Base | March 2024: Jeremy Mullis
Jeremy became a part-time operator in 2002. He was recognized as a safe driver multiple times and received five commendations.
Born and raised in West Seattle, Jeremy attended North Seattle Community College and Renton Vocational Technical College. Before Metro, he was a union carpenter and business owner. He became a driver because he loves driving and working with the public.
When not behind the wheel, Jeremy is mountain biking, boating, hiking, camping, and working on his house.
Jeremy’s advice to other operators: “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. Safety and service before schedule. If you see someone running for the bus, always wait for them!”
Passenger praise: “He patiently waited while I made my way to the stop. God bless that man! He is the model of excellent customer service.”
Ryerson Base |April 2024: Roneo “Ron” Gonzales
“Ron” Gonzales became a part-time operator for Metro in 2008. He went full-time in 2012 and has earned several safe driver recognitions and five commendations.
Ron was born in Manila, Philippines. He and his family moved to Seattle in 1981 where he spent his formative years, met his wife, and started a family. He ran his own business for 20 years before becoming an operator. As an operator, Ron enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life and learning from their unique stories and perspectives.
When not behind the wheel, Ron enjoys cycling with friends and indulging in a game of golf. He has been happily married for 40 years and has three children, three in-laws, and two grandchildren.
Ron’s advice to other operators: “Never forget the fundamental lessons from your Metro
training and make safety your top priority at all times.”
Passenger praise: “The driver stopped at a stop, secured his bus, and escorted a blind man across the street. He deserves recognition for going out of his way to care for someone.”
South Base | March 2024: Phillip Richardson
Phillip joined Metro in 2009 and has been a full-time operator since 2012. Recognized as a safe driver numerous times, Phillip has received many commendations.
After being laid off from a previous driving job, Phillip joined Metro because he wanted to continue in the transportation field.
Phillip and his wife have two daughters. When not driving, he enjoys traveling and music.
Phillip’s advice to other operators: “Treat others how you want to be treated.”
Passenger praise: “This driver is very polite and friendly. He makes a real effort to provide good service to riders. It brightens my day.”
South Base | April 2024: Timothy Holdaas
Tim joined Metro in 2003. He has been recognized as a safe driver multiple times and has received four commendations.
Tim was born in Tukwila and still lives there. He came to Metro after being told it was a great job. As it happens, they were right and Timothy thinks that it is the best job he has ever had.
Tim and his wife have three children. When not driving, Tim enjoys tennis, fly fishing, and hanging with his grandchildren.
Tim’s advice to other operators: “Slow down, know your limitations, and respect riders.”
Passenger praise: “I was running to my stop in order to make it to my destination on time and this driver stopped for me. It is probably a small gesture to him, but it was impactful to me.”
Every month, operators from King County Metro’s seven transit bases select an Operator of the Month. Each operator recognized demonstrates safe driving skills, is courteous and helpful and pays conscientious attention to attendance appearance and discipline.
Please join us in congratulating them. Our Operators of the Month later vote on who among them will be chosen as Metro’s Operator of the Year!