April 30, 2008

TriMet recognizes Operators of the Year

TriMet's top MAX and bus operators for the year were announced on Wednesday, April 30. Operators qualify for the awards based on outstanding driving records, customer service and attendance, with the winner selected by their peers.

This year José Cabrera was honored as TriMet's Bus Operator of the Year. Ivan Semenyuk was chosen for light rail's top award as MAX Operator of the Year. Ruth Molberg obtained the top honor for a part-time bus operator.

Bus Operator of the Year

José Cabrera, 46, has been a TriMet operator for seven years. The Aloha resident drives Westside bus lines originating out of TriMet's Merlo Garage, including the lines 1-Vermont, 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove and 96-Tualatin/I-5.

A Beaverton teacher recently wrote to thank TriMet for making possible a field trip for 57 students and 10 chaperones. The teacher said, "José was our driver! He was very kind. We appreciate the extra effort that TriMet took to serve our students and secure their safety." Cabrera earned an ACE award in 2005 for outstanding service to customers with disabilities and achieved Lead Operator status in 2006 after receiving 3 Superior Performance awards.

MAX Operator of the Year

Ivan Semenyuk, 52, has been an operator at TriMet for almost 12 years. The Happy Valley resident started driving a bus for TriMet and switched to MAX seven years ago.

He is known for working hard and keeping a positive attitude. A coworker recalls, "Ivan once translated for me when I was on the phone to a customer who'd left her bag on the bus. The customer spoke limited English, but Ivan spoke her native language and helped us get her belongings back to her." He operates on the Blue and Yellow lines and has been a consistent qualifier for Rail Operator of the Month for six years. Semenyuk, who has had perfect attendance four years in a row, was elevated to Master Operator status in 2006 after earning TriMet's Superior Performance Award 10 times.

Part-time Operator of the Year

Ruth Molberg, 45, drives various bus routes out of the Merlo Garage including the Lines 54-Beaverton-Hillsboro Hwy/56-Scholls Ferry Rd and 92-South Beaverton Express. The Tigard resident, a TriMet operator for seven years, has a perfect attendance record for four years.

In May 2007, General Manager Fred Hansen presented Molberg with a Sustained Management Excellence award for her outstanding job performance. A Tigard-to-downtown commuter said, "I have had the pleasure of a few outstanding bus drivers over the years…[Molberg] is by far the best I’ve seen. She is always on time. She always smiles. Unless traffic is bad you get home on time. The most amazing thing is that she makes it look effortless!" Molberg has been a consistent qualifier for Part-Time Operator of the Month, received a five-year safe driving award and earned a fuel saver incentive award. In addition, she reached Senior Operator status last fall after earning five Superior Performances awards.