PONTOON BEACH, IL., March 10, 2023… The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors recognized five drivers for achieving consecutive years of perfect safety while driving a public transportation vehicle, at the March 9 Board Meeting. ACT operates bus service for the Madison County Transit District (MCT) fixed route and paratransit services. As defined by the National Safety Council, to retain the ‘perfect safety’ designation, drivers must, in all situations, make every effort possible to avoid an accident.
ACT drivers Ken Hill and Mike Saylor were recognized for 10 years of perfect safety—while logging more than 20,000 hours behind the wheel of a transit vehicle. Reatha Duff and Calvin Payne were recognized for 15 years of perfect safety, with more than 30,000 hours of driving. And, for the first time in ACT history, Monte O’Bannon was recognized for 25 years of perfect safety! O’Bannon achieved an agency first with her perfect safety record with more than 50,000 hours behind the wheel of a transit vehicle.
“The National Safety Council’s standards for perfect safety are very rigid,” said ACT Executive Director SJ Morrison. “To drive for 10 or 15 years without a preventable accident is a difficult milestone to reach. 25 years is remarkable and a new milestone for ACT. We’re very proud of these individuals for their diligence and ongoing service to the people of Madison County.”
Photo 1 (left to right): ACT Executive Director SJ Morrison, Director of Operations Pam Ruyle, ACT Drivers Mike Saylor, Reatha Duff, Calvin Payne, and Monte O’Bannon, Manager of Fixed Route Services Delanders Crochrell.
Madison County Transit (MCT) provides multi-modal transportation services for Madison County, Illinois. MCT operates a fixed-route bus service, connecting to MetroLink; express weekday commuter service directly to and from downtown St. Louis; and seasonal express service to the Muny. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to use the fixed-route buses, MCT provides complementary door to door service. MCT is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 138 miles of bikeways that comprise the MCT Trails system, as well as overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s FREE carpooling and vanpooling program.
