TriMet recognizes its best operators of the year
May 10, 2011
Two operators log 1 million miles of safe driving; MAX honors a woman operator for 2nd time in history
Three TriMet operators have been selected as the agency's best operators as part of the annual Operator of the Year event. Operators qualify for the awards based on outstanding driving records, customer service and attendance, with the winners selected by their peers.
This year, Rolynd Puckett was honored as TriMet's Bus Operator of the Year. Gail Hanks was chosen for light rail's top award as MAX Operator of the Year. Abigail Lyman obtained the top honor for a part-time bus operator.
The annual ceremony is also the venue where TriMet recognizes operators who have achieved a safety milestone: 1 million miles of safe driving. At this year's ceremony, bus operators Dwight Botel and K.C. Rogers were recognized for achieving 1 million miles of safe driving, bringing up to 13 the number of current employees who have earned that distinction.
Bus Operator of the Year
Rolynd Puckett, 61, has been a TriMet bus operator since 1974. At the 2010 event, he was honored for achieving 1 million miles of safe driving. Puckett doesn't mind arriving to work at 3:56 a.m. to drive the first Line 12-Barbur/Sandy Blvd of the day from Sherwood to Gresham. His dedication to his job is highlighted by customers who say Puckett is "friendly and warm," "professional" and "the nicest bus operator I've ever had."
Only three operators have been at TriMet longer than Puckett. With 36 years of experience, Puckett has witnessed the establishment of Frequent Service bus lines and light rail in the region and says he has most enjoyed the introduction of the low-floor buses to the fleet and the advent of TransitTracker. He drives out of the Merlo Garage because it's close to his Beaverton home, where he has lived for 35 years.
In 2005, Puckett earned the distinction of Grand Master Operator after getting TriMet's Superior Performance Award (SPA) 20 times. An operator earns an SPA by meeting safe driving, operating procedure adherence and attendance criteria.
Puckett and his wife of 40 years, Penny, enjoy camping, fishing and clamming together. He's also involved in activities at his church, including participation in a choir that visits retirement homes and care facilities to entertain residents. He joined TriMet right after his service in the Navy.
MAX Operator of the Year
Gail Hanks, 44, is the second woman in the 25-year history of the MAX to receive the Rail Operator of the Year award. She lives in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood in Southeast Portland and started driving a bus for TriMet in 2002 and switched to MAX in 2006. She operates on the Blue and Red lines out of the Elmonica rail yard in Beaverton
Hanks is a Lead Operator, meaning she has earned two or more Superior Performance Awards, and has earned seven National Safety Council Safe Driver Awards. She also has experience operating the Portland Streetcar. Before coming to TriMet, Hanks conducted criminal background checks for the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
Hanks is known as a friendly operator who goes above and beyond to keep riders informed. A Blue Line rider said, "I love the fact that in the tunnel she says good morning and announces the time of day over the train's intercom. I love it! Keep it up!" Another rider said, "It's so nice to hear such nice greetings first thing in the morning … from a stranger!"
"I enjoy having the opportunity to smile and wave to everyone from my ‘mobile office' every day," she says about why she likes her job. "I love when my riders and smile or wave at me, too."
Part-time Operator of the Year
Abigail Lyman, 58, currently drives various shifts out of TriMet's Powell Garage on the Eastside, including the Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd and Line 72-Killingsworth/82nd.
Lyman has earned nine National Safety Council Safe Driver Awards, some from a previous position as a long-haul truck driver. Lyman is keeping the honor in the family. Her sister, Beverly Keohokapu, was selected Part-time Operator of the Year in 2009. She and her sister are very close; they drive similar schedules and participate in many community activities together, such as teaching hula.
She lives in the Mill Park neighborhood in Southeast Portland and has been a TriMet operator for nearly eight years. Lyman is memorable to riders, co-workers and supervisors for the way she accessorizes her TriMet uniform. She wears a tropical flower—a nod to her Hawaiian roots—tucked behind her ear when she's in the driver's seat.