COA Snapshot is a Monthly Feature on COA Employees
The old saying that if you love what you do you never work a day in your life characterizes Rochelle Kenneybrew and Frank Bascom, drivers with Amarillo City Transit (ACT).
“I would work on Sundays if they would let me,” Kenneybrew said.
“I actually enjoy being home every night and we are off on Sundays,” Bascom said with a laugh. “I have been doing this for more than 20 years in different places. This is a great place to work, and the buses are awesome. They are fun to drive.”
Kenneybrew and Bascom are two of 44 drivers in ACT (not all driver positions are currently filled).
Kenneybrew is an Amarillo native and former certified nurses assistant. She has been with ACT just more than two years.
“I wanted something different, and I love to drive, so this seemed like a great fit,” Kenneybrew said. “I enjoy coming to work. I don’t want to miss any days. This is like a second home.”
Kenneybrew is a driver for ACT-Connect, a unique resource for persons with certification who cannot navigate or physically use the ACT traditional fixed route service.
“One of the best parts of the job is meeting people and talking to people,” Kenneybrew said. “There are customers that we truly get to know.”
Bascom, a Minnesota native, is a veteran of public transportation, having worked more than 20 years for Greyhound in places such as Dallas and Seattle.
“People are more laidback here than Dallas or Seattle,” said Bascom, who has been with ACT for five years. “Here, you can get to know your customers because some ride every day.”
For the record, both Kenneybrew and Bascom can basically time their routes in their heads.
“After you drive for a while, you pretty much know your time stops,” Bascom said.
“I have a clock in my head now,” Kenneybrew said. “Traffic can be difficult sometimes, say on Coulter after 5 p.m., but just take your time and it is fine. Safety is always first.”
For more information on ACT and ACT services, go to:
www.amarillo.gov/amarillo-city-transit/act-connect/
Also for more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.
