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SamTrans Honors its Operator and Maintenance Employees of the Year Award
Every day across SamTrans’ service area, hundreds of employees work behind the wheel and behind the scenes to keep buses moving safely and reliably. In 2025, two of those employees have risen to the top, earning the agency’s highest honors: Operator of the Year and Maintenance Employee of the Year.
2025 Operator of the Year: Steven Castagnola
After more than two decades behind the wheel, Steven Castagnola has been named SamTrans’ 2025 Operator of the Year — a recognition that reflects a career built on consistency, community and a genuine love of the road.
Steven’s path to SamTrans began with a sudden career shift. He had worked at a lighting company in San Francisco since high school, but when the business closed, he began exploring new opportunities. He was preparing to accept a position with AC Transit when SamTrans called with an offer just a week before his scheduled start date. The decision ultimately came down to timing and proximity: living in San Bruno meant a commute of just five to seven minutes.
More than 24 years later, that decision continues to feel right.
“I love working outdoors and seeing all kinds of people,” Steven said. “Everyone is friendly, and that’s what makes the job enjoyable.”
His connection to SamTrans predates his career. Growing up, he regularly rode Route 30B through Rollingwood — now known as Route 141 — giving him a unique perspective as both a former passenger and longtime operator.
Steven says some of his favorite moments come from the routes themselves. He particularly enjoys driving Route 110 along the coast, where sweeping ocean views make the trip especially scenic. He also fondly remembers a former route that ran from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay and over the hill to San Mateo — a drive he still describes as unforgettable.
Being named Operator of the Year came as a surprise. “It’s a big honor with so many good drivers,” he said. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to receive it. It’s really nice to be acknowledged.”
When Steven first joined the agency, SamTrans was celebrating its 25th anniversary. Now, as the district marks 50 years of service, he reflects on how quickly the time has passed.
What keeps the job meaningful, he says, is simple: daily interactions and pride in public service. He makes a point to greet every passenger and thank them as they board. “It’s important to make people feel welcome,” he said.
Recently, he began operating the agency’s electric buses and has quickly become a fan. He describes them as smooth, quiet and free of fumes — an upgrade that benefits both operators and riders.
Outside of work, Steven enjoys woodworking, home improvement projects and traveling with his family to Lake Tahoe for hiking and relaxation. After nearly a quarter-century of service, he says the combination of community, meaningful interactions and steady purpose continues to make every shift worthwhile.
2025 Maintenance Employee of the Year: Arvin Barrozo
While operators connect directly with riders, maintenance professionals ensure every vehicle is safe and ready to roll. This year, North Base Mechanic “A” Arvin Barrozo has been named SamTrans’ 2025 Maintenance Employee of the Year.
The honor carries special significance: it was his fourth nomination. “It means a lot to me that my colleagues recognize my skill set, work ethic and positive attitude,” he said.
Arvin’s journey began at Skyline College, where he studied automotive technology. As part of the program, students toured the North Base facility to explore careers in public transit. The visit left a lasting impression.
“I knew I wanted to be a mechanic since I’ve always had an interest in cars,” he said. “I was graduating and thought this was a great place to work, so I applied.”
After graduating, he joined SamTrans as a Utility Worker and steadily advanced through the ranks to become a Mechanic “A.” Before entering public transit, he worked at a Toyota dealership, building a strong technical foundation that eased the transition to maintaining buses.
“The transition from automotive to transit buses was fairly easy,” he said. “I spent a lot of time learning all of the smaller components that work together to make a bus run safely and efficiently.”
As SamTrans expands its fleet of Battery Electric and Fuel Cell Electric buses, the work continues to evolve. Arvin acknowledges there is a learning curve but credits the agency’s training programs for preparing staff to adapt safely and effectively.
Now serving as a team lead, he collaborates closely with colleagues to diagnose issues and solve complex mechanical challenges. He believes teamwork strengthens both the maintenance division and the service riders depend on every day.
One of his proudest career moments came in 2024, when he and his teammates helped secure victory at the International Roadeo — an achievement he calls unforgettable for the maintenance team.
For Arvin, the work is also personal. Growing up, he relied on SamTrans buses to get to school, the mall and the movies. Today, he sees his role as giving back to the same community that once supported him.
“Now I’m providing that service back to the community,” he said.
Outside of work, he stays active playing sports such as badminton. Sundays are dedicated to family time, often spent with his young son, whose current interests include animated movies and dinosaurs.
A Shared Commitment
From the driver’s seat to the maintenance garage, Steven Castagnola and Arvin Barrozo represent the dedication, professionalism and pride that define SamTrans. Their stories highlight the people behind the service — individuals who ensure buses are safe, welcoming and ready to connect communities across San Mateo County every single day.