Sometimes it’s the little things people do that mean the most to others.
That seems to be why East Dallas neighbor Louis Gonzalez received the Annie Jones Driver Excellence Award from MY RIDE Dallas.
Gonzalez is a DART driver who works in East Dallas transporting seniors who do not drive and people with disabilities, helping them get where they need to go. He was nominated by Bobby Lou Turrentine, also of East Dallas.
“Louis takes me mornings to and sometimes from C.C. Young Retirement Center,” Turrentine says. “He calls back when the dispatcher says he doesn’t have to. He is kind to all races and does not show partiality to anyone. He speaks English and Spanish. Also, he will not begin the trip unless seatbelts are used. He helps me with my art case on Thursdays. Louis informs the afternoon driver when he knows that I will need early 1 p.m. pick up (to be ready for my call). He knows Paratransit and DART line schedules when I ask.”
MY RIDE Dallas began recognizing exceptional drivers in Dallas with the Annie Jones Driver Excellence Award for the first time this year, so Gonzalez was the first to receive the award. He was selected by a panel of consumer advocates and agency partners from among hundreds of nominations for demonstrating safe, respectful, reliable service.
Also, another East Dallas connection, Annie Jones, the transportation advocate for which the Annie Jones Driver Excellence Award is named, lives at Juliette Fowler Homes.
