Bus operators shine bright

Bus Operators Franklin Brown and Jaime Sanchez.

Two of the finest Metrobus operators from the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) were interviewed by WLRN reporter, Verónica Zaragovia. Bus operators Franklin Brown and Jaime Sanchez, both seasoned veterans with the department, spoke proudly about their jobs servicing the community as bus operators.

"When the passenger gets off the bus and says thank you," Sanchez said to Ms. Zaragovia during his interview published Sept. 15 on WLRN, "Even when they are getting off from the back door. They just say it from over there — ‘Thank you, driver!’ It makes you feel good because you feel like you’re doing your job correctly, you know?"

"I love it because I get to help the community, especially the elderlies," Sanchez said. "We usually kneel the bus for them, because they usually come in with walkers or a wheelchair, or people with disabilities. We have passengers who are blind, and we open the door and tell them this is the route and ask them if this is the route that they need. There are a lot of things we can do to help the community."

Operator Brown has been a bus operator with Miami-Dade County for 26 years. "You don't have a boss on your back all day," he explained to WLRN. "You can drive in different areas throughout the County on any given day." Brown added that if someone enjoys working, the opportunities to work overtime add up in the paycheck.

A career as a Miami-Dade County Metrobus operator offers many great benefits including career advancement opportunities within DTPW and other County departments. Employees can grow professionally, academically and financially.

Beyond these benefits, Metrobus operators have a heart of service to the community. These brave employees are part of a team that provides an essential service to Miami-Dade County’s residents and visitors. All DTPW bus operators play a vital role in connecting communities and positively impacting a person’s life.