May 18, 2006

TriMet recognizes Operators of the Year

TriMet announced its top MAX and bus operators for the year on Thursday, May 18. Operators qualified for the awards based on outstanding driving records, customer service and attendance, with the final choices picked by a vote of their peers.

This year Cynthia Kassab was honored as TriMet's Bus Operator of the Year. Albert Sztejter was chosen for light rail's top award as MAX Operator of the Year. Jack Stewart obtained the top honor for a part-time bus operator.

Bus Operator of the Year

Kassab, 53, has been a TriMet operator for 30 years. The Vancouver resident drives the 62-Murray Blvd and other Westside bus lines. She’s TriMet's first female member of the Million Mile Operator Club, having maneuvered 40-foot buses more than a million miles without a preventable accident. Riders say she is always kind and friendly to her passengers, entertains colleagues with her juggling and loves to create balloon art for kids.

MAX Operator of the Year

Sztejter, 59, has been an operator at TriMet for 14 years. The Lake Oswego resident started driving a bus for TriMet and switched to MAX nine years ago. Sztejter has had perfect work attendance for the past 13 years. He's been qualified for Rail Operator of the Quarter ten times and complimented for his courteous and helpful manner by riders.

Part-time Operator of the Year

Stewart, 57, drives various bus routes served by the Powell Garage. The SE Portland resident has driven for TriMet for 21 years and says the best route that he's driven was Line 9-Broadway/Powell. Stewart said the passengers were wonderful and to this day they occasionally meet for coffee on Saturdays.