[Published: March 11, 2022]

Did you know that Friday, March 18th is National Transit Driver Appreciation Day? The date was chosen to commemorate the very first bus line, Blaise Pascal’s carosses à cinq sous (“five-penny carriages”) in Paris in 1662.

In honor of today’s modern age drivers, we’ve highlighted a driver from each of our transit services. These folks work tirelessly to get us to our destinations on time while never compromising safety. If there’s one thing they want us to know, it’s that drivers should always yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Similarly, pedestrians and cyclists are of course encouraged to adhere to the rules of the road. We hope the following interviews will inspire you to thank your favorite driver on Friday or submit a note of appreciation to your driver via this form.

Marguerite Shuttle provides free 100% ADA accessible on-campus shuttles with an average of 20-minute frequency. Always willing to go the extra mile, the Marguerite team participates in the New Student Orientation where they teach student cyclists how to navigate campus safely.

RaulRaul Hurtado, Marguerite 

  • How long with the Marguerite team: 10 years
  • Route: Stanford Research Park
  • Favorite part of the job: “The people without a doubt. We see each other every day and us drivers connect well with passengers.”
  • Biggest challenge: Traffic. It can get hectic due to lots of construction, especially near Foothill Boulevard and Page Mill Road intersections. 
  • Best random act of kindness: A box of Krispy Kreme donuts from a regular who was moving back to Vancouver. I wasn’t expecting that! 

 

Disability Golf (DisGo) Cart Service offers complimentary curb-to-curb transportation between core campus locations for Stanford community members (including any eligible student, staff or faculty member) with a disability or medical condition.

Cynthia

Cynthia Hernandez, DisGo 

  • How long with DisGo: 4 years
  • Route: To and from most buildings within the core campus in areas not served by the Marguerite.
  • Favorite part of the job: The scenery. So many beautiful things to see from the cactus garden and murals to the sculptures and trees. It’s very peaceful.
  • Biggest challenge: Cyclists who ride too fast around campus - please slow down! And the weather. When it rains, we have a cover that’s almost like a tent to help shield us from the rain. But when it’s cold, especially in the mornings, it takes a little longer to warm up.

Best random act of kindness: Passengers who talk up DisGo to others by word of mouth, relaying how much they enjoy using our services. I’ve also received a thank you letter, baked goods at Christmas and small presents.

 

Stanford Medicine Transportation provides shuttle and transportation services for hospital patients, visitors, and staff at the main Stanford Medicine hospitals in Palo Alto and beyond.

Scott

Scott Richards, Stanford Medicine

  • How long with Stanford Medicine: 9 years
  • Route: SRI Park and Ride. 
  • Favorite part of the job: The opportunity to personally thank our health care providers for all they do, especially during the pandemic.
  • Biggest challenge: Bicyclists, joggers, pedestrians and folks using alternative modes of transportation (e-scooters, etc.) who come out of nowhere and choose not to use the crosswalks. I encourage drivers to share the road but it goes both ways! 

Best random act of kindness: Five colleagues who work at the Cancer Center each thanked me and told me what a wonderful driver I am. Even better, my supervisor happened to be riding with me that day.

 

East Bay Express is tailored toward hospital employees (but open to all employees) and provides one early morning bus trip from the East Bay to the hospital and Stanford campus, along with two mid-day trips back to the East Bay (ideal for swing shift employees).

Jose

Jose Lacap, East Bay Express

  • How long with East Bay Express: 3 years
  • Route: EB Line 
  • Favorite part of the job: The 5:40 a.m. shift: Quiet, calm roads with no traffic, just the rising sun and a beautiful drive across the bay. 
  • Biggest challenge: Getting passengers to the train on time in the afternoon so they don’t have to wait an hour for the next train. Also driving my double decker bus in rainy or windy conditions. I just take it slow and use my hazard lights to ensure others can see me. 

Best random act of kindness: Compliments and appreciation when passengers don’t have to do it. Baked goodies around Christmas and red envelopes celebrating Lunar New Year.
 

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