Bus Drivers Reach 1 & 2 Million Mile Status with No Accidents

Two Community Transit drivers honored for achievements in long-term safe driving

Snohomish County, Wash. –Two Community Transit drivers were awarded the agency’s prestigious Million Mile Award this week for reaching safe driving milestones without a preventable accident. The drivers qualified for the distinction by meeting strict National Safety Council guidelines for driving.

Two Million Mile Driver
David Gibson of Marysville was awarded for reaching two million miles of safe driving. For Gibson, nearly 28 years of safe driving is the result of following his initial training. Gibson has received numerous commendations, some of them for safe driving in inclement weather. He enjoys driving in the snow and transit driving in general. “I can’t say I enjoy one route more than another, I love them all,” Gibson said.

Gibson is the 10^th active Community Transit bus driver to reach this status.

Driving two million miles is the equivalent length of riding a bicycle around the world eighty times.                                                                       

Million Mile Driver
Joe Kellen reached a million miles of safe driving. To join the select group of safe drivers, it can take about 12.5 years of full-time safe driving to reach the milestone. Kellen, a resident of Mountlake Terrace, joined the 50-plus active drivers at Community Transit who have accomplished this feat.

After 18 years of safe driving, Kellen believes his training provided a solid foundation for long-term safety. “Basic things like mirror checks are very important because we’re transporting precious cargo,” Kellen said.

A million miles of driving is the equivalent length of running more than 38,000 marathons.

Million Mile Drivers are each presented a jacket, plaque, certificate and a pin, as well as having their name placed on one of the agency’s buses.

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit service, vanpool and alternative commute options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Swift bus rapid transit lines with Swift Blue Line along Highway 99, the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field, and the new Swift Orange Line coming to Mill Creek and Lynnwood in 2024.