The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) named its 2018 Transit Operators of the Year for the Xpress commuter coach service. The Transit Operators of the Year Award is awarded to drivers representing both of SRTA’s transit operations facilities whom go above and beyond as employees and ensure the safety of its riders.
 
The recipient for South Operations is Timothee Lebon, who started with Xpress in 2007. The recipient for North Operations is Chacko Thomas, who has driven at that location since 2002. Lebon and Thomas have more than 25 years of combined service with Xpress.
 
Timothee Lebon loves his job and his passengers. His path to receiving one of the 2018 Transit Operator of the Year awards includes moving from Haiti in 2003 and becoming a U.S. citizen in 2007. Lebon said, “I felt so excited to receive the award. I've been doing the best of me, but I didn't expect to receive the award. I'm so happy and I'm going to continue to do the best I can.” South Operations Supervisor Aldric Little could not be more excited for him and said, “From the day of employment, Mr. Lebon has shown professionalism, exceptional customer service, on time performance, attendance and exceeds expectations when it’s time to step up and go beyond the call of duty to make sure that our service meets the needs of our passengers.”
 
The award recipient for North Operations is Chacko Thomas. He takes pride in driving his passengers and getting them to their destination on time. Thomas said, “That’s part of my job taking care of passengers, treating them well, taking care of my boss, and listening.”
 
Syril Melvin, Operations and Maintenance Coordinator for Gwinnett County Transit, had nothing but positive things to say about Thomas. Melvin said, “I’ve been here for 10 years now and for 10 years he comes in, does an exemplary job and carries himself in a professional manner at all times.”
 
The recognition took place November 8th and 9th with an awards recognition ceremony and luncheon. Lebon and Thomas were selected to receive the awards from those that qualified. There are more than 200 drivers for the Xpress commuter coach program.
 
“We are very appreciative of the hard work of our transit operations staff, whose work supports 1.8 million passenger trips a year,” stated Chris Tomlinson, Executive Director for SRTA. “From the dispatchers to the drivers to the mechanics, we are thankful of their efforts in keeping our Xpress coaches operating safely and on schedule.”
 
To qualify for the award, drivers must have

driven at least 75,000 miles or 5,000 hours during his or her career with Xpress

worked at least 3 consecutive years for Xpress

exhibited the highest level of professionalism and safety during the previous 24 months with no preventable accidents

not have reported late to work or had any unexcused absences in the previous 12 months
 
Xpress gives commuters throughout the metro Atlanta region a valuable transportation option and improves the capacity of Georgia’s most congested highways. Its 27 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties carry more than 1.8 million passenger trips annually, providing workers with reliable, stress-free commutes to and from major employment centers in Downtown, Midtown, and Perimeter Center.
 
SRTA operates the commuter coach service out of facilities in Forest Park (South Operations) and Norcross (North Operations). The service has more than 200 drivers who drive an average of 90 miles daily.