News from King County Transportation
Release date:
June 3, 2003
Metro’s ‘Driver of the Year’ went
from blackboard to blacktop
In 1974, Judi Fisher had a bachelors degree in French, a masters in Romance
Linguistics, and absolutely no prospects for the teaching job she wanted. So,
she took a job driving a Metro bus. Now 29 years later, she’s still behind the
wheel – a favorite with passengers and with her fellow drivers who just named
Fisher Metro’s
‘Operator of the Year’ for 2002.
"Judi demonstrates exceptional customer service and has an exemplary
commitment to public transit," said Metro’s General Manager Rick Walsh.
"Passengers praise her for her safe driving, and her ability to handle any
situation on her bus with calm and grace."
The training Fisher received for a teaching career has served her well as a
bus driver. Passengers say she always shares the road with other vehicles and
bicycles; is patient with first-time bus riders; and is great with kids – even
the ones who act up in the back of her bus.
Fisher has a 16-year safe driving record as a bus driver, and in the past
eight years has garnered more than a dozen commendations from the public. She
currently drives Route 74 between Sandpoint and Seattle Center.
"Last year, Judi received a formal commendation from the entire staff of
Nathan Hale High School," said Walsh. "They said she had a significant impact
on kids at Nathan Hale who rode public transportation to and from school on her
bus."
Here are just a few of the other things customers have said about Fisher
over the years:
"The bus driver was wonderful...she is consistently gracious and
considerate."
"She drives well and is extremely courteous."
"I work with a group of developmentally disabled kids and Judi was
always gracious and patient with them."
Fisher has also served her fellow drivers as a union shop steward, and was
instrumental in getting the membership the right to hold shop steward
elections.
In her spare time, Fisher volunteers with cancer patients, travels, gardens,
and relaxes on her boat. She has also been involved in recreational jazz
dancing for more than 20 years. She is a resident of Greenlake.
In October 2002, Fisher was selected Operator of the Month at North Base,
where she is assigned. It was her second such award.
"Judi is highly regarded and appreciated for her outstanding work," said
North Base Supervisor Harold Mann. "She is a wonderful representative of the
quality drivers we have at Metro."
Metro employs more than 2,500 bus
operators who do all they can to help riders reach their destinations safely
and efficiently. Since 1978, the drivers themselves have selected the best of
their peers to hold the title of Metro Transit’s ‘Operator of the Year’.
The award honors operators who demonstrate safe driving skills, exceptional
customer service, and an outstanding overall work record. In order to receive
the award, a driver must be chosen as Operator of the Month from one of the
seven transit bases. At the end of the year, the Operator of the Year is
selected by a vote of all fellow Operators of the Month.
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