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Best of BSD – February 1, 2023

Best of BSD – February 1, 2023
February 1, 2023 Jerry Vallely
Metro Transit staff presenting a certificate

The Best of BSD

Join us in celebrating MetroBus Operator Kimberly Quinn, whose sharp eye and quick actions potentially saved the lives of two of her passengers.

On the morning of January 16, Operator Quinn was driving the #73 Carondelet southbound when she stopped to drop off two riders at the corner of Michigan and Holly Hills Avenues. As the couple prepared to cross Michigan Avenue in front of the bus, Operator Quinn spotted a vehicle quickly approaching the intersection from behind.

Gauging the driver’s speed and knowing the bus obscured the stop sign and the riders’ view of oncoming traffic, Operator Quinn quickly signaled to the couple. Moments before stepping out from the front of the bus, the passengers saw her signal and stopped as the approaching vehicle sped through the intersection and around the corner.

“I am certain that if your driver had not looked in the mirror and alerted me, I would have ended up either dead or with a bunch of broken bones and internal injuries,” wrote one of the passengers. “Please make sure that the driver is recognized for what she did.”

In recognition of her actions Andrew Ghaissi, General Manager of Safety, and Superintendent LaTanya Isaac, presented Operator Quinn with a special commendation. “People helping people,” is what Operator Quinn says she enjoys most about her job. “I’m going to make a difference when I show up.”

Operator Quinn has been a MetroBus Operator for 17 years. Incidents like this, she says, are becoming more common throughout the region because of distracted drivers. She says staying alert and keeping her eyes moving was part of her training.

Helping this customer avoid a potential tragedy brings back strong memories for Operator Quinn, who was hit by a vehicle when she was just ten years old. Her advice for other operators dealing with similar situations is to talk to someone and take care of their mental health.

Anyone can speak to a trained counselor using the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), by calling 1-877-622-4327, or reaching out to our Wellness team for other available mental health resources.

Best of BSD is a series that highlights stories of BSD team members and colleagues who are going above and beyond to serve our customers and our community. Know someone who should be recognized as the Best of BSD? Let us know at email hidden; JavaScript is required.