Kaleab Gebru
Each month we highlight operators and other employees for their exceptional customer service. This month we recognize Kaleab Gebru, for maintaining his composure when his bus was rear-ended and caught fire.
From Street Supervisor Maguire:
“Operator Kaleab Gebru was waiting at the red light when another vehicle ran into the back of the bus at a high rate of speed.A fire had started and Operator Gebru kept his composure grabbed the fire extinguisher, put out the fire and stayed with the driver of vehicle #2 until Denver Fire and Paramedics arrived on scene and took over the accident scene.
Operator Gebru is an excellent example of an operator striving to accomplish our mission statement. [He ensured] that a bad situation did not evolve into a much worse scenario.”
After receiving the commendation, we wanted to know more about Kaleab, and he graciously agreed to answer a few of our questions.
- How long have you driven for RTD, and have you always been a bus driver?
- Two years and three months, always as a driver.
- What were you in a previous life?
- I grew up in Ethiopia where most of my life there was spent in school. I’ve worked in construction, been self-employed, and operated heavy machinery in warehouses.
- What do you like best about your job?
- You are always moving and seeing new things.
- If you could listen to music while working, what type?
- I would pick something slow and calming like jazz or blues, maybe classical. You can’t really pick something with a beat because before you know it your bus starts dancing.
- If you could deck out your bus, what style?
- I would add more safeguards such as straight side mirrors to make it easier to see behind you.
- If you could change your uniform color, what color?
- Silver and blue.
- What type of service would you drive if given the choice and/or favorite service to drive or operate?
- I would prefer to do a bunch of different routes. That will always keep things interesting.