National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

Trains, buses, subways, ferries and other types of public transit keep everyone in the city moving to where they need to go.

And if the transit employees weren’t around, everything would shut down. Employing over 400,000 workers throughout the nation, this industry is a vital one that keeps the world moving every single day of the year.

National Transit Employee Appreciation Day shines a light on these important workers who make sure everyone gets to work, school or wherever they need to go!

History of National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

The background of National Transit Employee Appreciation Day can be traced back to 2009 when it was started through the grassroots efforts of some transit passengers in Seattle, Washington.

Originally called Bus Driver Appreciation Day and then changing to Transit Driver Appreciation Day in 2014, the event later grew to include all of the employees, not just the drivers. The date of this celebration was chosen as a nod to the first bus line in the world, initiated in Paris by Blaise Pascal on March 18, 1662.

After more than 15 years of being celebrated annually, National Transit Employee Appreciation Day has grown and increased in public awareness. Support for the day has been shown through the Amalgamated Transit Union along with the American Public Transportation Association.

Other transit authorities who get involved with this event include the MBTA in Boston, MARTA in Atlanta), King County Metro in Seattle, the New York MTA, and many others.

Each year, these organizations publicize this event on social media and other spaces to celebrate their employees, encouraging the public to do the same.

Some local transportation agencies have even extended the celebration to make sure everyone gets their due, like Lawrence Transit in Kansas. They take it one step further and observe Transit Driver & Worker Appreciation Week during the week that overlaps with March 18.

How to Celebrate National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

Wondering about some plans for participating with National Transit Employee Appreciation Day? Check out a few of these to get the ideas flowing:

Ride Public Transit

Folks who use public transit on a regular basis recognize that it is better for the environment and also saves money!

In honor of National Transit Employee Appreciation Day, consider the ways it might be possible to ditch that car and start commuting on the bus, train, subway or some other form of public transportation.

Thank a Bus Driver or other Transit Employee

People who make use of public transportation on or around Transit Employee Appreciation should consider celebrating this event by showing gratitude and appreciation to the workers on their public transportation line.

Whether this is the workers at the subway in New York City, the “L” in Chicago or a local bus in Seattle where this day began, National Transit Employee Appreciation Day is all about show goodwill to those who keep the trains, buses, trams and trolley cars moving throughout the cities.

Enjoy a Transit Appreciation Playlist

One of the biggest hacks that people who ride public transportation will share is listening to headphones with a stellar playlist!

Consider putting together a playlist for National Transit Employee Appreciation Day and listen to it as a reminder to show gratitude to these hardworking folks.

Take a look at some of these classic songs about public transit to get started with:

• Bus Driver by Muddy Waters (1977)
• I Missed the Bus by Kris Kross (1992)
• Subway Song by The Cure (1980)
• Kiss Me On The Bus by The Replacements (1985)