“I have lived here in the Upper Valley my entire life and I have worked for Advanced Transit for 40 years. From my first day back in 1985, I remember being outside, being with people, and helping people get to where they needed to be. Those are all things that I have truly enjoyed over the years.
I guess the proudest accomplishment would be just being able to contribute to the community—helping folks that need a way to get from point A to point B, to an appointment, or to work. Before I actually started driving, I never thought that the Upper Valley would be big enough to support any type of transit agency. I never thought anything like this would ever come to be.
I think the biggest thing for me is the people. I am an introvert, so in the beginning it was difficult for me. I remember one time I was bringing some folks to the hospital, and this lady who had been riding on a regular basis said to me, “Oh, you really do have a voice!” I replied, “Oh yeah, I use it every once in a while.”
Over time, I have built connections. I am fabulous with faces—but when it comes to names, I am absolutely awful. I recognize your face every morning. But you will tell me your name and a week later I’ll be like, “Oh, nuts.” It is a small enough system where you can recognize the regulars, and some of them have become friends.
Watching how the Upper Valley has developed over time has been absolutely amazing. Seeing how the people and the environment have evolved has been just incredible. But I never thought I would see homeless people here. I never expected to see people begging with their signs down in West Lebanon. That totally blows my mind. I have gotten used to seeing it. I just never thought that society would get to a point where we would allow people to be homeless. I don’t understand it all.
At the end of the day, I am able to help people. That is, I guess, my mission in life—to help people as much as I possibly can. This job, quite honestly, is the best way I know how to do it. And in the process, I have just really fallen in love with the job itself.”
Steve Leavitt, White River Junction, VT
