While Lars Sumner is only three years old, he knows what he wants to be, not only for Halloween, but also when he grows up. "We had a rabbit costume ready for him this year, but at preschool he said he wanted to become a bus driver, so that plan changed," his mother, Jane Sumner, said.

So, Sumner began researching uniforms to make a bus operator costume. She scoured the internet for a full-length photo of a bus operator, but was unable to locate any as all of them were from the waist up. "I reached out to customer service for help. They went above and beyond my expectations," Sumner said. "To say I appreciate their help is an understatement."  

Pam Steffen, Customer Relations Manager, received the inquiry and decided to deliver a care package to their home in Minneapolis. The package included a bus operator uniform shirt and hat, plus a full-length bus operator and toy-sized bus cutouts. "We're always happy to help our communities when we can, and inspire kids who are interested in transit," Steffen said. "For me, doing things like this is one of the perks of my job."

When he received the care package, Lars was over the moon. His mother said that while he doesn't like wearing hats, he loves wearing his Metro Transit hat, especially when play-acting bus operator at home. "He'll organize chairs in the living room that represent bus seats," Sumner said. "Then he'll yell, 'Everyone on the bus!'"

While play-acting, he'll recall places and sights he and his mother see on their usual trips onboard Route 67. "Alright, we're at the grocery store!" he'd say, referring to their usual stop at the Seward Co-op. But, if you get on his bus, make sure you're ready to show your transfer or fare. He's a stickler about it, even with family. Recently, he didn't allow his younger sister Casandra onboard.

While the care package uniform shirt is too large for Lars, his mother sewed the uniform patches on a shirt that does fit him. Depending on the weather this Halloween, the family may just stay inside. However, at his preschool celebration, his classmates should expect the Halloween express bus to be on time with Lars behind the wheel.