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News from King County Department of Transportation From monorail to streetcar, Metro’s ‘Driver of the Year’has been behind the wheel for 36 yearsJohn Fabre has been a bus driver in Seattle for so many years, that he’s been around longer than the organization he works for. But it’s his skills – not just his longevity – that earned Fabre the respect of his peers who voted him King County Metro Transit 2005 Operator of the Year.
“John has received multiple commendations from passengers, always the sign of an exceptional bus driver,” said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. “In this case, the commendations have a common theme – that John is extraordinarily kind, courteous and helpful towards his passengers.” Metro managers feel lucky to have Fabre on staff, since he almost went to work for the Seattle Fire Department when he left the Navy. “After working in the shipyards for awhile, John was looking for a change of career,” said Transit Operations Manager Jim O’Rourke. “He applied with the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Transit, declaring that he would hire on with whichever organization offered him employment first. Fortunately for us, Seattle Transit hired John before the fire department could get him.” O’Rourke said Fabre is an extremely skilled driver, someone he has personally called on to get buses out of tricky situations. During a big snowstorm several years ago, Fabre was asked to drive buses that were stuck on the streets without chains back to the transit base under very poor road conditions. “John got coaches out of some situations that I would have been hesitant to drive myself, and he did it all in the interest of providing increased service to the public,” said O’Rourke. Bus riders compliment Fabre on his friendliness, caring attitude, and driving skills: “…this driver is really nice. He talks with the passengers. Greets everyone with a big smile and says ‘Have a nice day’…” “…he has a friendly attitude and is service oriented…” “…he is very careful and does not jerk the bus...” “…he has excellent timing, no matter what the weather.” Metro employs more than 2,500 bus operators who do all they can to help riders reach their destinations safely and on time. Since 1978, the drivers themselves have selected the best of their peers to hold the title of Metro Transit’s Operator of the Year. The annual award honors operators who demonstrate safe driving skills, exceptional customer service, and an outstanding overall work record. In order to receive the award, a driver must be chosen as Operator of the Month from one of the seven transit bases. At the end of the year, the Operator of the Year is selected by a vote of all fellow Operators of the Month. Fabre was recognized today in a surprise ceremony at Metro’s Ryerson Base in Seattle. Always observant, and very modest, his supervisors had to go to great lengths to get him off the bus to attend a “special” meeting at the base so they could honor him (see photo gallery). Fabre was raised in Seattle, attending St. Theresa’s grade school, Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was in the Navy until 1969, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is a resident of Seattle, and currently drives Route 99 serving the International District, Pioneer Square and the Seattle waterfront.
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Fabre’s 36-year career started out with
Seattle Transit, which became Metro in 1973. During his years with the
transit system, he has operated every type of vehicle available – buses,
trolleys, streetcars, and even the monorail back when Metro operated it
for the city.