Drivers Thanked Through LA Metro’s STAR Program

In 2023, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) launched a Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Program for riders to share positive transit experiences with its employees. Since then, more than 1,000 messages of kindness and professionalism have been submitted. The agency’s blog, The Source, recently featured a bus driver who was thanked through the program and recognized by LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins for making a difference in one rider’s day.

A bus driver for three years, Kevin Bismarck Lopez loves the job and making connections with riders. In the note thanking Lopez, a passenger shared that his interaction with Lopez after a hard day made him feel “acknowledged and respected.”

Lopez believes that small gestures can have a big impact. “If you’re having a bad day, just hearing ‘good morning’ can change your whole demeanor. It might keep you from giving up.” Driving a bus provides an opportunity for Lopez to get people where they need to go safely and on time, while also brightening someone’s day.