Press Room

NFTA Honors Employees at 24th Annual Awards Luncheon

Monday June 1, 2009

Buffalo, NY... The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority hosted a luncheon Sunday, May 31 at the Protocol Restaurant in Williamsville to recognize outstanding safety records of Metro Bus/Rail operators and vehicle maintenance workers as well as NFTA employees who have worked for the NFTA for 25 years.

Metro operators received safe driving awards for periods of 10, 20, or 30 years without a preventable accident. This year six operators were recognized for 30 years of safe driving and three operators were acknowledged for achieving beyond that: Larry Hood 35 years, Jerry Payne and Joseph Wojcik 33 years.

Twenty-one Metro Bus and Rail operators and five maintenance employees were honored for either a 10 or 20-year safety record. In addition, 95 NFTA employees were recognized for a quarter-century of service.

Acting NFTA Chairman, Henry M. Sloma said, "Twenty-five years of dedicated service to our community has become more rare and precious over this same period of time. It is an honor in itself to work with men and women of such commitment."

Lawrence M. Meckler, executive director of the NFTA said, "Operating a bus or train, day in and day out, for 10 years, without a mishap is extraordinary. To do so for 20 or more than 30 years deserves praise not just from all of us at the Authority but the whole community. Equally remarkable are men and women who make safety their priority in our shops and garages. Keeping everyone safe is always our first duty and these honorees are great examples."

-30-