Then 21-years-old and intending to drive for about six months, Richard started his career with Metro Transit (then "MTC") in 1972. He retired on April 13, 2012 with more than 40 years of service and an accident-free driving record. Besides working at four bus garages and also as a supervisor in the Transit Control Center, Richard was a participant in Metro Transit's Bus Roadeo.

Todd retired on April 7, 2012, with 31 years of service. 

Marnell was recognized for 24 years of Safe Driving and received numerous Outstanding Operator Awards during her 32-year career at Metro Transit. She worked at four bus garages throughout her tenure and also has a son and grandson who have worked at Metro Transit. Marnell retired on April 3, 2012.

Dave said goodbye to Metro Transit on April 2, 2012, after 32 years of service. A skilled helper, Dave was known for his attention to detail and for taking pride in his work. He spent most of his career at Nicollet Garage. He was a member of Nicollet Club, an employee organization at his garage, and often cooked meals at events that the Nicollet Maintenance department sponsored. Dave also was a representative for ATU #1005 during his career.

Thomas Wannarka spent six months working at the Bloomington Bus Company before it was bought out by the Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1974. After moving to MTC, Wannarka worked at the old Northside Garage and Heywood Garage driving a variety of routes. For the last five years of his career, Wannarka worked at Nicollet Garage. As a driver, Wannarka was not shy about speaking with customers and said he enjoyed meeting new people. Wannarka even met his wife on the bus. Wannarka retired in April 2012 with 38 years of service. In retirement, he enjoys exercising, spending time with his family and traveling.

A 36-year Safe Operator, "Big Ron" particularly enjoyed driving express service to the State Fair every year. He was also known for assisting other operators as they learned new routes. Ron worked most of his career at the Fred T. Heywood Garage in Minneapolis and at Martin J. Ruter Garage in Brooklyn Center, from which he retired on Feb. 24, 2012.

Bruce began work as a bus driver in October of 1980. He was also a phone representative in the Transit Information Center. He became a supervisor in the Transit Control Center, where he kept radio contact with bus drivers on their routes and he completed his career as a Transit Supervisor in the street operations department, monitoring day-to-day conditions, detouring routes when necessary and supervising drivers. Bruce was most known for his work with the City of Maple Grove. For the last years of his career, Bruce worked closely with Maple Grove and supervised the service Metro Transit provides for the city by contract. He retired on Feb. 10, 2011, with 32 years of service.

Tom began driving bus at Snelling Garage in August 1973. He worked at Shingle Creek Garage, was at Northside Garage when it closed and at Heywood Garage when it opened. Tom finished 30 years of bus driving at Ruter Garage, but his transit career wasn't finished. He moved to Rail Operations as one of the first operators on the Hiawatha light-rail system, and left his mark in helping with the start-up of light rail. Tom, known as Tom4 on the railroad, safety-tested the first four light-rail vehicles, putting them through technical tests and ensuring they met operational standards prior to carrying customers. He also was among the first class of operators to become instructors to future operators. Tom retired Jan. 25, 2012, with 38 years of service.

Diane retired Jan. 4, 2012, from Heywood Garage. She had 32 years of service.

Bernadine retired Jan. 4, 2012, with 35 years of service. She was a bus driver at Nicollet Garage. She spent her entire transit career at that location, except for a brief time when the garage was closed for renovation. Bernie looks forward to retirement to spend time with her two children and grandchildren and to enjoy her love of gardening and travel.