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SamTrans > News Archive > SamTrans Recognizes Excellent Customer Service
SamTrans Recognizes Excellent Customer Service
The San Mateo County Transit District recently recognized two bus operators for
delivering more than just passengers.
Dario Sanchez of San Jose, who has been driving for SamTrans for 21 years, and Ella
Beecher of East Palo Alto, a 27-year employee, each received a Certificate of
Appreciation at a recent Board of Directors meeting for providing excellent customer
service.
Sanchez, a single-father of three children, came to the rescue of a little girl who
boarded his bus by mistake. Sanchez helped the frightened 10-year-old by giving her
the correct directions and dropping her off at the right bus stop. Rather than
leaving her alone to wait for the bus, Sanchez made arrangements with a co-worker, who
happened to be taking a break, to keep an eye on the young rider and make sure she
boarded the correct bus. He also asked the dispatcher to notify her family of her
whereabouts.
Beecher made sure a purse found on her bus was returned to its owner. When Beecher
turned the purse in to the dispatcher, they discovered that it contained a substantial
amount of cash. Assistant Superintendent Michael Bussey turned super-sleuth and
located the owner, who was thrilled to get the purse back with all the funds in tact.
The owner had collected the money to donate to a local family impacted by a tragedy.
In addition to working for SamTrans full time, Beecher raised four children and is the
proud grandmother of eight grandchildren. She and her husband James are licensed
foster parents and have cared for more than 50 teenagers in the last 10 years. “I
like to say that we are providing ‘extended family care’ not foster care,” said
Beecher. “The children who come to us are not just in our home, but in our hearts.”
SamTrans employs more than 300 bus operators who drive 56 routes. On an average
weekday, these vehicles travel more than 28,000 miles and carry more than 50,000
passengers.
12/2/04
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