Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month (November-December 2025)

They style hair and coach soccer. Cheer for Real Madrid and travel. Launch rockets and cook. They also “handle problem people with class and grace,” are “patient, friendly, and went above and beyond to help an older rider,” and make passengers “feel like I’m in good hands.”

They’re operators with more than two centuries of transit driving experience who enjoy meeting with their riders and giving back to their communities.

Meet your Operators of the Month for November and December 2025

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 | November 2025: Abdi Haid
Abdi joined Metro in 2015 and went full-time a year later and has seven commendations.
Abdi became a transit operator because he enjoys driving and connecting with people.
He is married and has four children.

Abdi’s advice to other operators:  “Treat everyone with respect, honor and dignity. Always smile.”

Passenger praise: “The driver was patient, friendly and went above and beyond to help an older rider, showing the kind of kindness that makes Metro drivers so appreciated.”

 

Atlantic Base | December 2025: Porsche Austin
Porsche joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2015 and went full-time in 2016. She has several years of safe driving and seven commendations.
Porsche is involved in several committees, including the Atlantic Base Security Committee and the Employee Giving Program. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Business Marketing and Business Management.
Porsche has a 22-year-old daughter. Outside of work Porsche enjoys traveling, volunteering as a soccer coach, shopping, and spending time with family.

Porsche’s advice to other operators: “Treat people the way you would want to be treated. Give respect and you will receive respect. You never know what someone is going through.”

Passenger praise: “Despite multiple bus issues and riders needing accommodations, the operator remained patient, kind, timely and safe. They were awesome!”

Bellevue Base | November 2025: Naveen Sanger
Naveen joined Metro in 2006 and went full-time in 2007. He has numerous years of safe driving.
After working in retail, Naveen applied to Metro Transit, becoming an operator for the stability and good pay.
Naveen is married and has three children. His hobbies include traveling, gardening and long drives.

Naveen’s advice to other operators: “Just focus on your driving.”

Passenger praise: “Always very kind, pleasant and helpful. Very safe driving as well.”

 

Bellevue Base | December 2025: Feyruza Omer
“Faye” joined Metro in 2016 as a part-time operator and went full-time in 2017.
Faye came to Seattle more than 30 years ago. She has one child who is a senior in high school.
Faye truly enjoys being an operator and appreciates sightseeing, interacting with customers and working outdoors.
In her free time, Faye enjoys cooking, hiking, going to the gym, traveling and spending time with loved ones.

Faye’s advice to other operators: “Smile more because a smile can soften even the hardest of hearts. Just a simple smile can change someone’s whole day.”

Passenger praise: “A vehicle abruptly cut into the bus lane to make a right turn, and the operator handled it calmly without reacting angrily.”

Central Base | November 2025: Belinda Glover
“B/Auntie” Belinda has been an operator with Metro since 2013. She has multiple years of safe driving and 55 commendations!
Belinda worked as a master hairstylist for more than 40 years and co-owns a salon with her niece. Encouraged by a retired supervisor, she gave bus driving a try, was hired and has continued her lifelong love of driving.
Belinda has six siblings and one sister who passed away in 2005. She has a daughter and a son and four grandchildren who are the joys of her life.
Belinda’s Christian faith is an important part of her life. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, dancing, shopping and skating.

B/Auntie’s advice to other operators: “It makes my day to always say ‘good morning and have a nice day’ to every customer, and to see a smile and or hear a ‘thank you.’ Some people don’t often hear a kind word, and you never know what someone may be carrying in their ‘backpack’.”

Passenger praise: “My driver is wonderful. She handles problem people with class and grace. She is always pleasant!”

Central Base | December 2025: Awil Ugas
Awil started as a part-time operator in 2015 and has been full-time since 2016. He has several years of safe driving and 14 commendations.
Awil moved to Washington in 1993. He became an operator because of his passion for driving and the enjoyment he gets from interacting with customers.
Awil has a wife and four daughters and he enjoys spending quality time with them.

Awil’s advice to other operators: “Love what you do, and be an asset to your coworkers.”

Passenger praise: “Courteous, confident and kind, he kept full control of a packed bus, smoothly moving riders back and thanking passengers for making room for a mother with a stroller.”

East Base | November 2025: Adan Labastida Hernandez
Adan joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2015. He has several years of safe driving and multiple commendations.
Adan moved to Seattle in 2005 and was a truck driver before joining Metro.
He enjoys exploring the city, connecting with the community, spending time with his spouse and children, playing soccer with friends, and cheering for Real Madrid.

Adan’s advice to other operators: “Be patient, and treat others as you would like to be treated.”

Passenger praise: “Our driver is punctual, kind and attentive. Waiting for riders, remembering stops, and even waking a passenger who fell asleep. We appreciate him.”

East Base | December 2025: Sergey Antoyuk
“Serge” joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2017 and went full-time the same year. He has multiple years of safe driving and several commendations.
Serge became an operator because of his desire to serve his community.
In his time away from work, Serge loves to cook and enjoys spending time outdoors. Some of his favorite outdoor activities include fishing, hiking and going for a nice bike ride.

Serge’s advice to other operators: “Play cool, have fun and don’t let your emotions get in the way of your safety.”

 

North Base | November 2025: Celine R. Kelley
Celine joined Metro in 2011 and became a full-time operator in 2025. She has multiple years of safe driving and five commendations.
Celine was a Community Transit subcontractor from 2007 to 2014. Having spent much of her childhood riding buses in Kirkland and Taiwan, she developed a curiosity about driving that eventually led her to become a transit operator. Her favorite route was the 255, traveling from Juanita Beach across 520 into Seattle.
Celine is married, and her interests include gaming, board games, visiting parks, zoos, aquariums, wildlife preserves and mini-biomes. She is also interested in rocketry.

Celine’s advice to other operators: “Be kind, help out fellow operators, take meal and comfort station breaks, and provide the best customer service with a smile.”

Passenger praise: “This driver is always so friendly! She greets everyone. Always nice to see her!”

North Base | December 2025: Nasser Shamssi
Nasser started as a part-time operator in 2002 and has been full-time since 2005. He has earned five commendations and has numerous years of safe driving.
Nasser joined Metro after a close friend urged him to apply.
Married with two children, Nasser enjoys traveling and exploring new places with them.

Nasser’s advice to other operators: “Easy does it.”

Passenger praise: “The driver was helpful, professional, gave directions and went the ‘extra mile’. They operated the bus very safely.”

Ryerson Base | November 2025: Richard Thompson
Richard joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2009 and became full-time in 2012. He has numerous years of safe driving and eight commendations.
Richard served 10 years in the Air Force, worked in law enforcement and logistics and as a package engineer at Eddie Bauer. He now also works as a loan officer.
Richard is married with four children and enjoys DJing, ice hockey, traveling, cheering on the NY Giants and helping others.

Richard’s advice to other operators: “Take it one trip at a time, always know your surroundings such as cars, people and obstacles. Try to always be kind and be a blessing to others.”

Passenger praise: “Best bus driver. Very respectful and remembers you! Whenever he’s driving the bus, I feel like I’m in good hands.”

Ryerson Base | December 2025: Rachel Foxx
Rachel joined Metro as a part-time operator in 2015 and went full-time in 2018. She has several years of safe driving and 16 commendations.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is the mother of three grown children. Outside of work, Rachel is an avid Michael Jackson fan who enjoys singing, cooking and learning.
Rachel is proud to represent King County Metro and to provide safe, reliable and enjoyable service to riders every day.

Rachel’s advice to other operators: “When we treat riders with respect, they return the favor in kind, usually. STAY IN YOUR LANE!”

Passenger praise: “Our driver is fantastic. They are always outstanding, professional, safe and consistent! It’s a better day anytime they are driving us.”

South Base | November 2025: Alumbarie Bergfalk
Alumbarie began driving for Metro in 2005. He has multiple years of safe driving and many commendations.
Alumbarie has four sisters and three brothers. He enjoys hiking, jogging, playing soccer and bird watching.

Alumbarie’s advice to other operators: “Be the change you want to see.”

Passenger praise: “Being greeted with a smile makes the day brighter. Thank you for having a great smile!!!”

South Base | December 2025: Tamieko Cook
Tamieko began driving for Metro in 1996. She has numerous years of safe driving and six commendations.
Tamieko is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1997 to 2001. She was inspired to become a transit operator by her mother, who told her it would be a good career.
Tamieko was elected to serve as the ATU Local 587 Recording Secretary for six years, from 2018 to 2024.
Tamieko has raised her son and her niece, who are very close to her heart. In her time away from work, she enjoys going to the movies and attending concerts.

Tamieko’s advice to other operators: “Always lead with respect for your co-workers and passengers. If I give a passenger a positive experience, hopefully they will carry that forward to the next operator they encounter.”

Passenger praise: “Our bus broke down downtown and our driver went to heroic lengths to ensure we all got off the bus safely.”

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!