Michelle Coates - April 2026 Operator of the Month

April 2026: Michelle Coates

April’s Operator of the Month is Michelle Coates from Boulder Division! Coates was chosen for her positive attitude and professionalism that create a lasting impression on her customers and colleagues alike. One such example involved a customer whose car broke down, requiring a wait at a bus stop that is not as visible as their usual stop. Despite this, Coates still managed to see the customer waiting at the stop and pulled over to allow the individual to board, which made the customer’s rough day better.

Since April 2025, Coates has received nine customer commendations, two of which have come this year!

Q&A

How long have you driven for RTD, and have you always been a bus driver?

Since October of 2024, so about a year and a half. Yes, have always been a bus driver.

What were you in a previous life?

Worked in Health Care for 17 years.

What do you like best about your job?

I love interacting with customers. “I love People.”

If you could listen to music while working, what type?

Country, I find it relaxing.

If you could deck out your bus, what style?

I would put dubs, speakers, and cherry it out.

If you could change your uniform color, what color?

Purple

What type of service would you drive if given the choice and/or favorite service to drive or operate?

Favorite route is FF1 and LD1, which are also my favorite services to operate.