Community Transit Driver Steve Richards Reaches Million Mile Status

Imagine driving a million miles — that’s 40 times around the Earth’s circumference — without a preventable accident. Now imagine doing that in a 40-foot bus.

Steve Richards has become the latest Community Transit driver to accomplish this feat.

Richards, who lives in Lynnwood, started driving a bus in 2002. He says driving conditions on Snohomish County roads have changed since that time.

“It takes skill and attention, and a lot of luck (to reach a million miles),” Richards said of reaching the safe driving milestone. “It’s a lot more crowded, there are a lot more cars on the road these days. You really need to pay attention.”

The National Safety Council sets the strict standard for a Million Mile Award, and it takes about 12.5 years of full-time driving without a preventable accident to earn it.

At Community Transit, awardees receive a Million Mile jacket, plaque, certificate, pin, and a decal on a Community Transit bus with their name on it.

Customer service skills aren’t a requirement for receiving the award. But Community Transit transportation director Fred Worthen says that he’s never seen a Million Mile Driver awardee “without a long list of customer service commendations in their record.”