Glenn Goetz worked at nearly every bus garage in his 36-year career at Metro Transit, earning the agency's Outstanding Operator Award – the agency's mark of excellence in customer service, attendance and safety – seven times before retiring with the title of Master Operator. When Goetz retired in February 2011, he was looking forward to retirement and having the time to work on old cars and clean his house, along with spending more time with his two children and six grandchildren.

Kandy started her Metro Transit career on Feb. 8, 1978, at the former Nicollet Garage. She transferred to Shingle Creek Garage (now Ruter) while Nicollet was rebuilt, returning to Nicollet to spend the balance of her 32-year career. She drove Route 21 – the Selby-Lake Line – for many years and closed her career on Route 23, another cross-town service that connects Uptown with Highland Village largely along 38th Street. Kandy logged 20 years of accident-free driving and earned many commendations from her customers. Her colleagues gathered on Jan. 21, 2011, to cap her career with a celebration at the garage.

On Aug. 6, 1979, Ted joined Metro Transit as a bus operator at the now-closed Snelling Garage in St. Paul. He ended his career teaching new bus operators the driving and customer service skills he honed over his 31 years at Metro Transit. He transferred to the Instruction Center in 2006 where he administered Class A and Class B driving tests to operator-candidates on behalf of the State of Minnesota. He was certified as an instructor for two internationally recognized programs: Transit Ambassador (a course on customer service and customer communication) and Smith System (a defensive driving class for professional operators). He retired on Jan. 7, 2011.

Lawrence joined Metro Transit on Nov. 2, 1970, as a bus operator and spent most of the next 40 years serving customers of St. Paul routes during assignments at the Snelling Garage and East Metro Garage. During his tenure, he earned Metro Transit's annual safe driving award 36 times. He retired with the designation of Master Driver, by earning the agency's outstanding operator award nine times for safe driving, quality customer service and attendance. He retired in January 2011.

Charles joined Metro Transit on Jan. 21, 1980, as a bus driver. "Rocky," as he was known to many he worked with, earned the outstanding operator award two times for safe driving, quality customer service and attendance. During his nearly 31 years of service, he also earned Metro Transit's annual safe driving award 23 times. His colleagues, fiancée and several grandchildren gathered in December to cap his career with a retirement celebration at Heywood Garage in January 2011.

After leaving the military, Mark Johnson returned to the Twin Cities to look for work. He saw a job posting in the newspaper that said operators could earn $3.46 an hour, plus overtime. Looking for a way to put himself through school, Johnson responded and began as an operator at Nicollet Garage on May 4, 1970. Though he graduated with an accounting degree, he spent the next 40 years working at Metro Transit. After 16 years as an operator Johnson became an instructor. In 1993, he began a one-year stint as the Assistant Transportation Manager for the old Snelling Garage. He moved to South Garage to become manager a year later. Johnson also worked as a manager at Martin J. Ruter, Heywood and Snelling. Johnson described himself as a “driver’s manager” and said the best part of working at Metro Transit was developing friendships and giving others the opportunity to succeed. Johnson retired in January 2010. In retirement, he is active in church and spends time at his home in Florida.