April 3: RTA salutes employees who provide great customer service

Every year, RTA recognizes employees as the 'best of the best' in customer service with the General Manager's Customer Service Award. It also salutes operators for safe driving.

 April 3: RTA salutes employees who provide great customer service

Apr 2, 2014

CLEVELAND -- Every year, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) recognizes key employees as the 'best of the best' in customer service with its highest honor, the General Manager's Customer Service Award.

RTA also salutes operators who have compiled decades of safe driving. This year, the event will occur on April 3.

Nominated by customers, the honorees for the General Manager Customer Service Award include three bus operators, a customer service agent at Tower City and one rail operator.

One operators, James Lee of Westlake, will be recognized for 30 years of safe driving -- driving without an accident -- an incredible accomplishment, considering drivers often log hundreds of miles a week.

General Manager's Customer Service Award

Geraldine (Jeri) Hiles, from West Park area, has served RTA customers for eight years, wearing a few different hats. As a Customer Service agent at Tower City, her knowledge of transit and Cleveland is extremely helpful to new riders. Speaking of hats, you can catch her sporting many lovely ones, that a customer states, “emphasize her great character and positivity.”

Edgar Crayton, originally from the South, has served RTA as a bus operator for 26 years. He is now at RTA’s West Side Triskett garage.  His quality service is noticed by riders, as he always greets each customer courteously. A customer said: “He is always a gentleman, looking out for the women and children on board.”

Johnetta Crosby-Edmond, born and raised in Cleveland, has served RTA as a train operator for nine years. She said she enjoys working with people throughout the day. A nominating customer says: “She is an excellent driver, always calm, smiling, and welcoming.” 

Terrance Montgomery of Garfield Heights, is at 17 years and counting, giving quality service to his customers as a Paratransit operator with RTA. “I treat everyone like I would my own parents or grandparents,” he says. This is apparent, as a nominating customer expresses, “He’s just like family.”

Charles Burgess, a Brooklyn, Ohio native, has served RTA as a bus operator for almost 15 years. Charles is based at RTA’s East Cleveland Hayden garage. A nominating customer shares his thoughts about his favorite driver: “Being a bus driver is not an easy job. I commend Charles for his wonderful spirit, and making my ride on RTA an enjoyable one.”

30 years of safe driving

James Lee has served for 30 years as a bus operator, providing the utmost safety on his routes. Growing up near Lee Road and Fairmount Boulevard, he frequently rode the Shaker Rapid to come downtown. He has achieved his 30-year milestone, which is an incredible accomplishment, as drivers often log hundreds of miles a day. When asked about the enormity of this accomplishments, he humbly says: “I’m just driving my friends to work.”

RTA provides quality, economic and safe public transportation via rail, bus and Paratransit throughout Cuyahoga County. Real-time information is available for all buses and trains. Check www.riderta.com or call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500.

Media Contact: Mary Shaffer, Public Relations: 216-566-5211