Fare Free Employees Honored for Excellence By N.J. Council on Special Transportation

CREST HAVEN – A dispatcher and a driver for Cape May County Fare Free Transportation received awards Nov. 10 from the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation presented by freeholders.
Fare Free Transportation Director Daniel Mulraney described the work done daily by Megan Belles and Brian Fitzpatrick.
Belles dispatches buses and vans beginning early on weekdays, but things start to get hectic from 8:30 to 10 a.m. as callers need rides, tell her they missed buses, and more.
Her voice is “calming” to the mostly senior citizens who place those calls, said Mulraney.
In addition, she trains new employees. “She does so much for the organization it would be very hard for her to be replaced,” he told the board.
For her labor, Belles received the Dispatcher of the Year Award. Her daughter Olivia Belles joined her when a photograph was taken with freeholders.
Of Fitzpatrick, Mulraney said, “Brian has quite a track record with us. He consistently shows a professional and positive demeanor in the face of a hectic job and every job requires a great deal of professionalism.”
He has won the New Jersey State Roadeo three straight years, has gone to national competition and received third place nationally two years in a row, said Mulraney. Further, he has seized the initiative to improve himself to become a certified transit supervisor and has been promoted to senior driver.
For his efforts, Fitzpatrick received the Driver of the Year Award.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said he and the board were “Very proud of what Fare Free Transportation does for the county routinely. Their job impacts citizens of the county and enhances their quality of life.”