Sangamon Sun

The Springfield, Illinois Mass Transit District (SMTD) celebrated Transit Worker Appreciation Day today, March 18.

The celebration recognizes transit drivers across the country. There is a website, transitdriverday.org, for the holiday that encourages transit passengers on buses and rail lines to show their appreciation to drivers and operators.

“We have great employees that have been named 'Unsung Heroes' by Downtown Springfield Inc.,” SMTD Managing Director Frank Squires said. “Many of our operators that often drive the same routes every day get to know the passengers almost as well as family members, and SMTD’s maintenance department is known throughout Illinois for its quality work. We hope that on Friday, our passengers take a minute to thank their drivers that do their best to get them where they need to go every day.”

The SMTD operates 16 routes throughout the city with additional routes in certain areas as well as night service routes. Approximately 150 individuals are employed by the SMTD. The transit system completes approximately 1.5 million trips annually.

“Many people in and around Springfield see our buses every day, but most don’t think about the work that goes into operating the buses, maintaining them and making the system operate day-in and day-out,” Squires said.