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| Volume 17, Issue 3 | Spring 2004 |
Outstanding Performance Leads to Award for Transit Drivers
According to Gross's nomination, "The only folder thicker than her training file is the folder with letters of thanks from riders." She was cited as an exemplary employee with a clear driving record and excellent people skills. She was recently honored by a local school for her idea to plant a tree in memory of a 6-year-old rider who died from a brain aneurysm. She also assisted in the rescue of a man who crashed his car into a light pole. The managers who nominated her also wrote, "Nettie is not only bubbly and full of energy, she has a heart bigger than most of our fleets. She is the employee who is able to transition in and out of each and every position while maintaining the work ethic and enthusiasm that are essential." Gross has been a driver for the Prairie Hills Transit for more than 3 years.
The nomination notes that Melby is especially good at working with mentally challenged and physically disabled passengers. When the agency experienced financial difficulties, Melby offered his position to two employees who had been laid off. He retired from driving, but returned to hold the position for another driver who was ill. That driver eventually passed away and Melby continues to work as a driver part-time. Trilling for TransitWe all struggle with the never-ending challenge of raising our match funding, no matter what size the project. The biggest obstacle seems to be figuring out a fund-raiser. When someone comes to you with not only an idea, but they want to do all the legwork, you jump at it!
This past Christmas season, the Hurry & Hustle Community Club of Bison contacted us about using our 15-passenger van and our driver to go Christmas caroling. The plan gets better, as this caroling would be a fundraiser for Arrow Transit! Anyone wanting the community club to sing for them, a neighbor, friend, etc., contacted the organization and paid them $5, or a donation of their choice. The women then delivered musical greetings around town in an oldfashioned sort of way. The group stopped at several homes in the community of about 500 people, singing their songs, getting on and off of our vehicle several times. At the end of the night, the trip count for this fund-raiser was 65, and Arrow Transit was given the proceeds of $250. Every dollar counts, and for a night of bringing holiday greetings to residents of this small community, everyone involved felt the giving spirit.
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In this issue...
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Annette Gross, a driver for Prairie Hills Transit in Spearfish, was named "South Dakota Driver of the Year" by the Dakota Transit Association in Grand Forks in September. Gene Melby, a driver for Wells/Sheridan transit in Harvey, was named "North Dakota Driver of the Year."
Melby's nomination says, "He is the type of employee that we all hope to be fortunate enough to find. He is reliable, responsible and always puts safety first. He is always there whenever needed and consistently goes above and beyond in his service to his passengers and to Wells/Sheridan Transit." He has been a driver for the transit agency since 1990.
Arrow Public Transit offers public transportation in Lemmon, Bison and Faith, S.D. We are a sparsely populated area located in the very northwest corner of the state. If you have been through our area, you know the miles it takes to get anywhere! Service in Faith and Bison is limited. Lemmon offers in-town public transportation with several contracts and out-of-town scheduled trips as well. In Bison we have a contract with the Head Start program, and offer trips from Bison to Lemmon, Hettinger, N.D., and Bowman, N.D., as needed for medical, shopping or recreational needs. Community support has proven the need for public transportation in this area of the Dakotas.