Pair offers extra help to their community

The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) is actively recruiting bus operators, and they have two employees who are offering extra help to their community. Meet Bus Operator Allen Lane and Instructor Franklin Brown, who were recently commended for their advocacy work at a Second Chance Job Fair. This duo develops and conducts classes that help candidates study for and improve their chances of passing the entrance exam.  

Lane is a Miami native who grew up in Overtown. He started with the County ten years ago after a career with Alamo at the Port of Miami. “It is not surprising that my neighbors and friends were curious when I became a bus operator. They could see me wearing the sharp uniform,” Lane said. “They would ask me what they had to do to join the department and I wanted to help them.”

Word got around and before long, Lane was holding exam review sessions in his home. They moved to the library once he recruited Brown, who had the teaching skills. Brown, who is from the Bahamas, has been with the County for 28 years.

“I was involved with Heroes Helping Heroes and the Hope Driver Project, so the needs in our community were very real to me. It didn’t take much convincing to get me on board to help,” Brown said.

The last class this duo offered had 43 sign-ups. During the past three exams, 20 of the individuals they mentored took the exams, and eight have gone on to become bus operators.

“It is so important to be part of the community, and when they come back to ask questions and get help, I will be here to help them protect their careers,” Lane said.

“What we are doing potentially changes lives,” Brown added. “Seeing families together at the graduation and the look of pride on their faces is amazing. What we don’t see is the influence these new bus operators will have on others in their community. The benefits are potentially far-reaching.”

General Superintendent Schneider St. Preux agrees that Lane and Brown stand out because they are willing to give their time to help others. “Dealing with traffic and passengers can often be challenging,” he said. “But it is an important job. DTPW moves over 260,000 passengers every day. Even during COVID, we were moving 140,000 passengers a day. Those who use transit depend on us.”

Lane said his phone is constantly ringing and he will answer it to help others. He enjoys spending time with his family. “I am thriving because DTPW supports me and allows me to work with my community.”

Brown is a commercial drone pilot and designs patent safety systems for buses and aviation technology. He also works in the area of sustainability.

“Their dedication and service opens doors of opportunity for many,” St. Preux added. “The way they think about others makes them superheroes.”

Learn more about how to become a bus operator.