Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month (September-October 2024)
They are campers, hikers and coaches. One was a radio DJ, another worked as an audio engineer. Some were encouraged by family and friends to make driving a bus their career. For riders, they treat “everyone with respect,” are “smooth drivers,” “helpful and professional” and are “upbeat, friendly, helpful and considerate.”
They are operators with 250 years of professional 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 September and October 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 | September 2024: William Jackson
William started driving for Metro in 2005. He has numerous years of safe driving and has received 19 commendations.
William grew up in Seattle and attended Franklin High School and the University of Washington. He became a Transit Operator because he enjoys being around people and socializing.
William is the proud parent of two children. When not driving, he enjoys going on bicycle rides, walks and hikes.
William’s advice to other operators: “Stay safe. Be friendly and patient.”
Passenger praise: “This driver is great. The coach was packed but he treated everyone with respect and made sure we could get to the exits safely.”
Atlantic Base | October 2024: Angela Thomas
Angela started as a part-time operator in 2013 and went full-time in 2017. She has multiple years of safe driving and 12 commendations.
Angela grew up in Tacoma where she attended Lincoln High School and received a fast pitch softball scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University. Her father, who has been with Pierce Transit for 35 years, told her about the opportunities the transportation field offers.
Angela and her wife of 15 years have a son and a daughter. When not driving, Angela enjoys numerous interests including camping, gaming and coaching her son’s baseball team.
Angela’s advice to other operators: “Smiling is contagious. A genuine smile while we’re passing each other can spread happiness.”
Passenger praise: “Props to the operator this morning. Sounds like today is her first time on this route AND she had to deal with a reroute. Her attitude was excellent under the circumstances.”
Bellevue Base | September 2024: Srdjan Jakovljevic
Srdjan joined Metro in 2017 and has been a full-time operator since 2018. He has several years of safe driving and nine commendations.
He was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Srdjan met his wife in Serbia and they moved to Seattle in 2002 (by way of Las Vegas, Nev.)
He became a Transit Operator because he likes to drive, help people and serve the community.
Srdjan has a son and a daughter. In his free time, he likes to play and watch soccer with family and friends. He also enjoys watching his son play rugby and football.
Srdjan’s advice to other operators: “Treat passengers how you would like to be treated and focus on being a safe driver.”
Passenger praise: “The driver was really helpful. He helped navigate me to my stop and I enjoyed his smooth driving.”
Bellevue Base | October 2024: Audrey Hedstrom
Audrey joined Metro in 2001 and went full-time in 2003. She has numerous years of safe driving and two commendations.
Born in Bellingham, Audrey grew up riding the bus and becoming a driver was a dream come true.
Audrey and her husband have a daughter. In her free time, she likes to sew, crochet and read.
Audrey’s advice to other operators: “Don’t get in a hurry. Don’t out-drive yourself. Remember to breathe.”
Passenger praise: “Friendliest driver at Metro; smiling, laughing and waving.”
Central Base |September 2024: Abebaw Asefaw
Abebaw started as a part-time operator in 2017 and went full-time in 2018. He has several years of safe driving and one commendation.
Abebaw, who grew up in Gondar, Ethiopia, joined Metro so he could return to school while working full time.
What he likes most about being a Transit Operator is that by helping people get to work, school, and other places daily, he is an essential part of the communities he serves.
When not driving, Abebaw likes to read classical literature and watch good movies. His fiancé lives in Ethiopia and he hopes she can come to this country soon.
Abebaw’s advice to other operators: “You should treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Passenger praise: “This bus driver was outstanding. He drove safely, was helpful and professional.”
Central Base | October 2024: Hubert Lamotte Johnson
Lamotte joined Metro in 2016. He has several years of safe driving and 10 commendations.
Lamotte was born in Los Angeles. He studied theology at Patton College and is a licensed psychiatric technician. He moved to Seattle to help support a church and became a transit operator because he loves driving and providing excellent customer service.
Lamotte and his wife of 14 years have 10 adult children. When not driving, he enjoys hiking, weight training, biking, and going on walks.
Lamotte’s advice to other operators: “Quick to listen, slow to speak.”
Passenger praise: “His friendliness and compassion are an example for other drivers. I look forward to riding with him.”
East Base | September 2024: Fausto Torres
Fausto joined Metro in 1989. He has numerous years of safe driving and 25 commendations.
Fausto was born in New York City, grew up in Venezuela, and moved to Seattle in 1981.
After working on a variety of gigs including as a recording engineer on NPR documentaries and as a host of a weekly radio show, he left audio production and broadcasting looking for a new job. A friend was working as a Transit Operator and recommended he apply. It has been the perfect job as it allows him to continue to work in his audio production career.
When not driving, Fausto enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and professional audio engineering.
Fausto’s advice to other operators: “When I’m having one of those days, I’ll try to remember the day when a supervisor will walk a half-block away from her car to remove a shopping cart from a sidewalk. Then I remember the main reason for this job: Service!”
Passenger praise: “The operator was friendly, courteous and displayed a rare and commendable appreciation for passenger health and safety.”
East Base | October 2024: Kelvin Kirkpatrick
Kelvin started as a part-time operator in 1995 and went full-time in 1998. He has multiple years of safe driving and 13 commendations.
Kelvin came to Metro for job stability and flexible hours. He has enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community. Kelvin has been married to his best friend for 29 years and they have a son and a daughter.
When not driving, Kelvin enjoys photography, weightlifting and nutrition.
Kelvin’s advice to other operators: “Stay humble, stay kind and provide a safe ride for all that utilize our public transportation systems throughout the county. Namaste.”
Passenger praise: “He’s upbeat, friendly, helpful, and considerate. He waits for people. He’s considerate to bicyclists and he’s patient.”
North Base | September 2024: Jack Millman
Jack joined Metro in 1999 and went full-time in 2001. He has numerous years of safe driving and more than 150 commendations! He received the 2007 George Turner Award, which recognizes a transit operator who best exemplifies a positive attitude and awareness of the elderly and disabled communities.
Jack loves helping people. When two of Jack’s friends were both new Metro Transit Operators, they thought the job would be perfect for him and urged him to apply. After 25 years of service, it seems they were right!
Jack has an amazing wife and he is the proud godfather of a Metro Transit Operator.
When not driving, Jack helps care for his father-in-law and he loves riding his Harley-Davidson.
Jack’s advice to other operators: “LOVE WHAT YOU DO! Work, hobbies, and each other. The goal is to make it to retirement and get a nice pension and enjoy life!!! The sooner the better because life is too short.”
Passenger praise: “The bus driver is awesome. He is friendly, helpful and made the atmosphere of my commute fun.”
North Base | October 2024: Jesse Londura
Jesse joined Metro in 2005 and has been a full-time operator since 2007. She has multiple years of safe driving and 13 commendations.
Jessie was born in California but considers Washington state home. Her previous work as a live-in caregiver instilled a passion to help those in need. A trolley driver convinced her to give bus driving a try when she was 23 years old.
She is married to a fellow operator and they have four children. When not driving, Jessie spends her time reading, listening to music, Tunisian crocheting and chauffeuring her 12-year-old twins around to their activities.
Jesse’s advice to other operators: “Treat everyone with respect, politeness, and kindness; not because they are nice, but because you are. Also… SMILE, SMILE, SMILE.”
Passenger praise: “This bus driver always welcomes every rider with a great smile and warm greeting. She’ll always tell you to have a good day when you get off too. Out of all the drivers, I trust her the most.”
Ryerson Base | September 2024: Terry Lofton
Terry began driving at Metro in 2003 and went full-time in 2009. She has numerous years of safe driving and 11 commendations.
Born in Seattle, Terry says she feels blessed with her job as a Transit Operator because it has allowed her a very comfortable quality of life.
Terry has two daughters and five grandchildren. When not driving, she enjoys gardening, canning, walking and spending time with family and friends. She recently crossed a trip to Alaska off her bucket list.
Terry’s advice to other operators: “Try to do good to others.”
Passenger praise: “My driver was super helpful both when I got on and they clarified some questions I had, and when I got off and they wished me a good day.”
Ryerson Base | October 2024: Justin Ruedebusch
Justin started as a part-time operator in 2015 and went full-time in 2016. He has several years of safe driving and five commendations.
Born in Seattle, Justin attended Green River Community College where he worked as a DJ for KGRG public radio, playing alternative hits music. He applied to Metro because a friend told him it was exciting.
When not driving, Justin likes to record music.
Justin’s advice to other operators: “Keep your eyes moving.”
Passenger praise: “He was genuinely and exceptionally patient with an elderly passenger boarding with mobility issues. His attentiveness to this passenger was really moving.”
South Base | September 2024: Mesfin Bekele
Mesfin joined Metro in 2018 and went full-time in 2019. He has several years of safe driving. Mesfin has been recognized for going above and beyond when he reunited a 4-year-old child, who was found roaming on a busy street in Burien, with his mother.
Mesfin was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is a graduate of New Castle High School. He has an International Air Transport Association (IATA) diploma in Air Ticketing.
When not driving, Mesfin loves to either play or watch soccer games, attend church and watch good movies.
Mesfin’s advice to other operators: “Expect the unexpected while driving and always take the positive side of it.”
South Base |October 2024: Donovan Baker
Donavan joined Metro in 1994 and has been full-time since 1997. He has earned numerous years of safe driving, five commendations and multiple milestone awards.
Donovan hails from Detroit. An ordained pastor, he has been a student of music, business, and theology and is currently working on his dissertation.
He has a son and extended family in Seattle and Detroit. When not driving, Donovan enjoys playing golf and learning piano.
Donovan’s advice to other operators: “Use wisdom and experiences along with your skills; implement them in your daily journey.”
Passenger praise: “Our driver handled a very loud and disruptive rider so well that he deserves all of the passengers’ appreciation.”
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!