Operator of the Year 2008: Ineke DeBoer

<<Sounds of cheering>>

King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi says:

The job of a transit operator is particularly challenging in my opinion and I just wanted to signal that I definitely appreciate all that you do. I know there are other roles and support and all that. But, we've had some wonderfully challenging times. When you're out there on the front line and you deal with, like you do so very well, thousands and thousands and thousands of customers, traffic, all that, it's a very, very challenging role and for that I want to give all of you a lot of credit and you in particular for the 2008 Operator of the Year.

King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond Says:

We have a great bunch of employees who represent Metro every day. You know, I'm not there in the face of the agency, Harold's not, Dave's not, Jim, you guys are. You're the front of the face of who Metro is, that's what the public really sees about Metro. It's the people behind the wheel every day carrying people safely and reliably and with a smile. And obviously you've raised to the top with the kind of attitude and approach you bring to your job.

King County Metro Transit Operations Manager Jim O'Rourke Says:

But I think most of all you speak a language of care and compassion for your customers. No matter what comes out of your mouth, it's what comes out of your eyes and what actions you use with the people who are on your bus. Whether you stop the bus when someone's running for it, things like that, It's all those little things that add up to being Operator of the Year eventually.

King County Metro Transit Service Development Manager Victor Obeso Says:

It truly is each year, we're reminded how many great human beings work for us. And with each Operator of the Year who's announced I think 'Well, that's just the greatest one I've met yet.' And, it is true, congratulations to all of you.

2008 Operator of the Year Ineke DeBoer says:

The only thing I can do for people is to just give them a little bit of respect, give them a smile. My little granddaugther has had enough. I enjoy that, I enjoy letting everybody know, and say 'Hey, we're all in this together'. And some people go through very difficult things. And if you can just look them in the eye and just smile at them, then many times it's a little bit uplifting.