Bruce Williams of St. Louis is one of many transit operators in the St. Louis region ensuring transit riders reach their destination safely and efficiently. What sets Bruce apart, however, is how long he has been on the job for- 50 years at Metro Transit as of February 6, 2024.
Bruce’s career began on February 6, 1974, when he began working out of the North Broadway garage before eventually moving to the Debaliviere MetroBus facility. He worked the extra board for 43 years, which entailed filling in the gaps in the operator schedule due to operators being ill or being on vacation, before he was eventually able to select his own route in 2017.
Beyond his day-to-day role of operating the #78 Bellefontaine MetroBus, Bruce also dedicates some of his time as a mentor to new bus operators. Williams believes while training covers the basics, new hires gain valuable insights by working with a mentor who has been doing the work for many years.
As Bruce looks to the future, he thinks retirement is likely in his near future. He says he has held off on retirement this long because he genuinely enjoys his job. He greets every rider when they board and treats everyone with respect. He has had customers come to him years later and inform him that he made a difference in their life, just by his attitude and approach to life. Formerly a combat veteran, he hopes that in retirement he will be able to continue serving others by working with veterans.
“Missouri Transit is much more than the ride from point A to point B. Congratulations to Bruce on his 50th anniversary at Metro Transit. His work underscores just how many opportunities there are in Missouri transit to build a successful career in this industry. Bruce is an amazing example of one of the faces of Missouri transit at work,” said Kimberly Cella, MPTA executive director.
If you know a transit operator that should be highlighted for their dedication, please send an email to ktroxell@MOpublictransit.org