NextStop Blog

Our team members work hard to keep our region moving every single day. From operators to customer service, maintenance to mechanics, and operations to public safety, we bring the best of the best together to bring progress, collaboration and innovation to our communities. We want to share their stories, so stay tuned for more team member spotlights.

Violeta is one of the many MetroBus Operators getting you to where you need to go throughout the region.

She is originally from Bulgaria, and moved here in September 1990. Her husband was a bus driver before they moved, and when they came here, it was her turn to get behind the wheel. Violeta started as a school bus driver and then came to Metro Transit, where she has driven our buses for 25 years.

Driving gave Violeta a chance to get to know her community. It’s the way she learned how to get everywhere in St. Louis – now she will never get lost. This can also be very convenient if you are ever on her bus.

“It doesn’t matter who is getting on the bus and where they need to go, as long as I help them to go there. I know all the routes, and I can tell you what kind of bus you can catch to go there.”

She has a front row seat to see our region, and she gets to meet people from all walks of life.

“You are out there when it’s cold and when it’s hot. But inside the bus, you have the best seat and you can appreciate what you do. I really appreciate having a bus to drive and, in some way, serve this country.”

Violeta knows how important public transportation is for connecting people.

“We move the whole city from one side to the other. I think we play a big role.”

It is important for her to make connections with passengers. Some of her coworkers even started as riders – and they remember her as their bus driver.

“I always greet my passengers, and if they leave from the front door, I tell them to have a good day. I just really want people to have good day. That’s how the world is better place to live, with more smiling people.”

Check out our Q&A with Violeta below to get to know her more.

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What do you like about working for Metro Transit?
My favorite part is going everywhere. I see the clouds, the sun, the rain, the snow. You see the people and you can talk to them. You see how the planet breathe – you can see all that. That’s my favorite part. I’m not stuck in an office for eight hours. I’m outside and I love it.

What does a good day look like for you?
I have to give my time for serving somebody else. And when I go home, I feel satisfied because I did a good job.

What do you love about the bi-state region?
The thing I like most about St. Louis is the diversity. There’s a lot of diversity over here. A lot of people from different places, and they accept you for who you are. And I’m always glad when I see someone starting in our company from another place.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I always try to ride public transportation everywhere I go, including abroad. I want to compare it with ours.

Do you have any hobbies?
I love flowers – I have all kinds. I have veggie garden in my backyard and grow almost everything.

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When you’re out riding with us, make sure to pause and thank our team members for what they do. We could not move the region without them. Thank you, Violeta!