CREST HAVEN — Freeholders congratulated the members of the County’s Fare Free Transportation Division for their accomplishments at the New Jersey State Paratransit Roadeo.
“Cape May County Fare Free Drivers have done something that no group has done in 25 years, they have been judged best in New Jersey three years in a row,” Freeholder Leonard Desiderio said in a release.
Once again, David Smith of Lower Township took top honors at New Jersey’s Paratransit Roadeo. The event, held in Trenton, saw Brian Fitzpatrick from Cape May place second and Steve McKenna, also of Lower Township, pick up 4th place honors.
The annual competition pits the best drivers in the state against each other in the jobs that they do each day. They are tested on driving skills, their knowledge of state and federal regulations, their understanding of vehicle safety and their ability to secure passengers using mobility aids.
Desiderio is pleased that passengers of the Fare Free system can ride at ease. “Passenger safety is our number one concern. I am happy to report that Cape May County Fare Free drivers continue to show that they and our training program repeatedly assure that we are the best in the state! Our team has been together for four years and has three championships!”
Fare Free Director Kathleen Belles could hardly contain herself when the winners were announced. “I am more than excited about our champion drivers, but I am proud of every one of my Fare Free employees who work in the best interest of our riders on a daily basis. Our safety and training program overseen by Harry Sherwood, Chuck Guhr and Bill Kennedy has not been matched by any other curriculum in the state – Results matter.”
As the system’s safety trainer, Guhr says that he is working with an excellent group. “… about our driver’s success? I am ecstatic. It’s true that Harry, Bill and I spend months working with the entire staff on safety issues… but we need to remember … it’s the talent and dedication of our drivers that prove them to be among the best of the best in America.”
Smith and Fitzpatrick will be sponsored by the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation and the Community Transportation Training Program at the National Competition to be held in Rhode Island at the end of May.
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