Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 22, 2018

A passenger recently commended Ride On Bus Operator Sharri Austin for an outstanding job. She wrote:

“………… I remain overwhelmed by the professionalism demonstrated by Ms. Austin, Montgomery County Transit (MCT) Driver, I am compelled to bring her outstanding service to your attention.

“I was in Germantown, Maryland in January 2018 for a training at Montgomery College. After exiting the DC Metro, I boarded the MCT for a bus ride to the college. I appreciated the warm greeting I received from driver, Ms. Austin, and everyone who boarded the bus received an equally warm greeting. She assured me I was on the correct bus and would personally let me know when I had arrived at my destination.

“The bus was crowded with standing room only. At one stop, two adolescents boarded the bus. Apparently, high school students are able to travel for free with current school identification (ID). One student readily showed his ID, the other did not and walked to the rear of the bus while verbalizing negative comments. Ms. Austin called him back to the front of the bus. Initially, he refused, using disrespectful language. Everyone on the bus became silent. Ms. Austin remained calm and the bus remained at the bus stop. She again called the student forward and he slowly walked to the front of the bus. Upon arrival, Ms. Austin calmly explained MCT student transit policy as well as provided a gentle reminder of the importance of common courtesy to fellow passengers as well as the driver. To my surprise, the student quietly listened to Ms. Austin until she dismissed him to his seat. Even more surprising, several stops later when the student exited the bus, he paused at the door and thanked Ms. Austin! Without a doubt, it was the most skillful de-escalation of a potentially volatile situation I have ever witnessed. Impressive, indeed.

“Please share my enduring gratitude to Ms. Austin for ensuring the safety of all of her passengers and having the courage to engage and mentor a teenager.”

Release ID: 18-111
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7170