In a male-driven industry, a Cochrane area female bus driver has been singled out for her skills and dedication to the job.
“I was shocked actually. I didn’t even think something like that existed,” said Tanya McNeill of Fenton Bus Lines about her Driver of the Month Award. “I’m almost still processing it.”
McNeill was named the October 2017 Driver of the Month from the Alberta Motor Transport Association. The AMTA represents thousands of commercial drivers behind the wheels of ambulances, big rigs, gravel trucks and more – any vehicle that requires a Class 4 licence or higher.
McNeill is only the third woman since 2011 to be honoured with the award, which AMTA president Lorraine Card said recognizes workers “based on their driving and safety records, industry recognition, mentorship, company involvement and professionalism.”
The honour is particularly meaningful, Card added, since according to Statistics Canada, women in transportation make up less than three per cent of employees in the transportation and warehousing industries.
“We are extremely proud of the female drivers who have achieved this milestone,” said Card.
Kathy Fenton – whose company is made up of eight female drivers – said McNeill’s accomplishment is a milestone for industry women as a whole.
“The excitement was as much in the AMTA as it was for me,” she said. “It’s really historical.”
During the year, McNeill, a mom of two, does runs to and from Westbrook School, as well as charters from Cochrane and Bow Valley high schools. In the summers, she drives camp children on scheduled outings.
“I get to meet different people and see different kids,” she said. “I know most of the kids by face and by name.”
Those charter trips have taken McNeill all over the province, including Drumheller, Lethbridge, Lake Louise and countless tourist destinations like the Calgary Zoo and Calaway Park.
She commemorates her adventures with colourful magnets she displays with pride above the door of her big yellow bus.
“I had somebody give me one as a thank you for driving … (and I thought), ‘That’s a good idea,’” she said, adding she’s collected nearly two dozen of the souvenirs so far. “I like to say that I’ve been to this place or that place.”
Fenton said McNeill’s love for the job is just one thing that embodies the spirit of a great bus driver.
“Their day is to make sure that group gets the best and safest transportation … Tanya is absolutely no exception to that. She takes that care and attention … Many times, I have my groups say, ‘Is Tanya available?’” Fenton said. “I could brag about her all day … and brag about all eight of my girls. They’re just amazing, amazing drivers.”
For McNeill, she said she believes her responsibility is a big one – and she hopes to instill the same values she upholds at work in her own two growing children at home.
“I always just tell my kids to do the best they can and try to do it right to the best of their ability.”
