This news release contains information about the following two OC Transpo programs:
- Safe Driving Awards
- Transecure Awards
Transit Commission Chair, Councillor Glen Gower, was joined by other City Councillors and senior City staff at Ben Franklin Place to recognize OC Transpo employees through the Safe Driving and Transecure awards programs.
Safe Driving Awards
The Safe Driving Awards program recognizes bus operators who reach career milestones in driving. Employees must drive at least 1,000 hours during the previous year without an at-fault accident. Two Operators were recognized for driving more than 35 years without an at-fault accident, including one operator with 45 years, the longest active safe driving record at OC Transpo. Twenty-four Operators were honoured for reaching 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of safe driving.
Transecure
Transecure is OC Transpo’s community watch program on wheels. It recognizes the actions of OC Transpo employees who demonstrate exemplary behaviour by assisting members of the community during their times of need.
Fifteen employees were honoured today at the 37th annual Transecure Awards ceremony for their actions during 2023. Among them is the Transecure Employee of the Year, Bus Operator Kirk Joseph. While on his route, Kirk heard a passenger’s call for help and discovered a child choking on a piece of candy. He successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the candy from the child’s airway allowing them to breathe normally.
Details for all the monthly winning calls are available on octranspo.com.
In 2023, 87 Transecure calls were made by OC Transpo employees, bringing the total number of calls to 12,109 since the program’s inception in 1987.
Quotes:
“Congratulations to these OC Transpo employees who have achieved significant milestones in their careers. Every day, they not only work to make sure their passengers reach their destination safely, but they also act as guardians of our neighbourhoods. Achieving milestones of up to 45 years of safe driving speaks volumes about their commitment to our community’s’ safety.”
Ottawa Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe
“To reach 20, 25, 30, 35 and even 45 years of safe driving over the course of a career is an incredible accomplishment. Every day OC Transpo employees do an amazing job, often under challenging circumstances. As City employees who spend their days on neighbourhood streets, they continually safeguard the well-being of the community. They reunite lost children with their parents, provide aid to residents in crisis, and maintain a constant vigilance on behalf of their passengers and neighbours. I applaud them for maintaining such high standards.”
Councillor Glen Gower, Chair of the Transit Commission
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