This article is from page 36 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
A QUARTER of a century is a long time to spend in any job but, for Some, it can be more of a vocation than an occupation.
The service of north Clare bus driver PJ Vaughan was celebrated in the Pery Hotel in Limerick last week as he was presented with a special award to mark his dedication over the last 25 years at the Clare, Tipper- ary and Limerick Part-Time School Bus Drivers Awards.
PJ was presented with a watch for his long-time service award by Des
Tallon, manager of human resources at Broadstone, along with Miriam Flynn, regional manager and Rory Moylan, chief clerk of the School Transport Office in Limerick.
A special award in recognition of his service was given to PJ, who had completed 25 years’ service as a Clea oe
PJ was first appointed as school bus driver in 1981.
He began by covering the Lisdoon- varna Post Primary Centre until, in 2001, the Ballyvaughan National school was also included on his route.
Nearly 50 students travel with PJ each day, 28 post-primary pupils on the secondary route and 14 pupils on the primary route.
Meanwhile, a number of school bus drivers from Clare were also award- ed safety certificates for their driving records at the ceremony.
In total, 16 of the 23 part-time
school bus drivers in Clare qualified with an excellent safety record. The main objective of the Bus Fireann Safe Driving Awards 1s to highlight and recognise Bus Eireann drivers who have achieved an excel- lent safety record.
Safety and reliability are key issues in delivering a good public transport service and Bus Eireann invests sig- nificantly in the area of driver train- ing, both for regular drivers and school bus drivers.
Safe Driving Awards are presented on an annual basis to drivers who have been accident-free for that par- ticular year.
Each successful driver receives a certificate and an award of €100, in recognition of their safety record.
In addition, drivers who achieve a five-year accident-free record also receive a special badge of honour.