Last year, more than 14 million people rode on SamTrans buses. These riders rely on San Mateo County Transit District’s courteous, safe operators and clean, reliable buses. “They are the face of SamTrans, where the rubber literally meets the road, and no one better represents and embodies our high standards than these folks. They are our best,” said General Manager/CEO Mike Scanlon.

The Transit District recently honored two of the people responsible for these high standards: Operator Billy Lane of San Francisco, who has been chosen Operator of the Year, and Lead Mechanic Rameshwar Singh of San Bruno, who is the Maintenance Employee of the Year.

The two honorees were selected from among employees who received the Employee of the Month award in 2007 and met a rigorous criterion that included no preventable accidents, no disciplinary actions and no unexcused absences.

Lane began his career as a SamTrans operator in January 2000. He drives four routes every day – 120, 122, 130 and 141 – which serve Daly City, Colma, South San Francisco and San Bruno.

Lane received the Operator of the Month award in 2000 and 2007, the Safe Driver award for seven years, the District’s Making A Difference award and an award for having perfect attendance.

“I like working for SamTrans for many reasons,” said Lane. “SamTrans is a very reputable organization with many years of success. I also like the diversity of the employees as well as the camaraderie.”

Lane and his wife, Dana Sue, enjoy traveling and live in The City with their two cats, Midnite and Samatha. In his free time, Lane rides his “Fat Boy” Harley, enjoys fishing, cooking and judging chili cookoffs and restoring a 1970 Chevy flatbed and 1949 Studebaker. He also clears graffiti and litter from his neighborhood and is a member of his Neighborhood Emergency Response Team.

As a lead mechanic, Singh is one of the employees responsible for SamTrans’ outstanding maintenance program – the District has such a good record that it is authorized by the California Highway Patrol to conduct its own vehicle safety inspections.

Singh started his career at SamTrans in May 1985 as a mechanic “C.” Over the years, he has worked his way up to the position of lead mechanic and acting supervisor for the graveyard shift. He has been selected Maintenance Employee of the Month 11 times.

He enjoys working for SamTrans, Singh said, because of “the outstanding customer and employee relations.”

The District’s mechanics handle all the routine maintenance on the diesel-powered buses, tackling everything from engine work to brake jobs. Senior Superintendent Elliott Rivas says Singh often assumes the role of “Supervisor on Duty” where he monitors staff levels and oversees shop operations. “Charlie, as he is affectionately known,” said Rivas, “consistently performs above expectation in support of the graveyard shift. His team’s goals meet the high District vehicle maintenance standards and his contributions are evidenced by meeting the daily run requirements without question.”

The Transit District operates 54 bus routes throughout San Mateo County and into parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto. The District also offers Redi-Wheels paratransit service for persons with disabilities who are unable to ride SamTrans. The District provides shuttles that link transit centers with major employment sites; is the managing agency for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which administers the expenditure of Measure A funds and is a partner in the Caltrain rail service.

(03/12/08) - msk
Media Contact: Mary Knuckles, 650-508-6356