OCCK Transportation is encouraging people to celebrate “Transit Driver Appreciation Day” on Thursday.
"Driving a bus or van isn’t an easy job, but the best drivers make it look that way. OCCK Transportation drivers provided thousands of trips last year, getting people to work, school, shopping and medical appointments. We are asking Salina and north central Kansas to say 'Thank you' to a driver on March 18," OCCK Transportation noted in a news release.
OCCK encourages all riders to join in celebrating the hard-working drivers. For those customers who don’t ride on Thursday, a “Thank you” or a card is welcome anytime, OCCK Transportation noted.
Riders can also send in a compliment for a driver at [email protected] or by calling 785-826-1583 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. They can also give a shout out to drivers on the OCCK Transportation page and use the hashtag #tdad.
Why March 18?
National Bus Driver Appreciation Day was started by transit riders in Seattle in 2009. Hans Gerwitz and Shannon Thomas wrote a blog post that inspired the International Bus Driver Appreciation Day movement. They chose March 18 because it was on that day in 1662 that bus service began in Paris, according to the information from OCCK Transportation.