METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Palm Tran celebrates 41-year career of bus operator

The agency recognized Bus Operator Tom Romano's 41 years of service.

June 20, 2018
Palm Tran celebrates 41-year career of bus operator

From left: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly, Tom Romano, and Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran

1 min to read


From left: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly, Tom Romano, and Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran

Palm Tran celebrated the retirement of Bus Operator Tom Romano, after 41 years of service. Palm Tran leadership, staff, and Romano's wife presented him with an engraved clock and certificate of appreciation at the West Palm Beach Intermodal Transit Center.

Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes, Palm Tran Director of Operations Sean Smith, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly attended the event.

Ad Loading...

“His excellence as a Palm Tran bus operator cannot be overlooked," says Forbes. "It has been an absolute honor to recognize Tom for his 41 years of service, and I wish him nothing but happiness in his retirement.”

Romano shakes hands with Forbes as Palm Tran Director of Operations Sean Smith presents Romano with a gift. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran

Romano began his career as a bus operator in 1977, when the Palm Beach County transit agency was named Florida Transit Management Inc. with 20 buses and seven routes. When the agency restructured to Palm Tran in 1996, the fleet expanded to over 150 buses and over 30 routes.

In December 2017, Palm Tran recognized Romano for reaching the 25-year milestone without any preventable accidents.

More Management

A headshot of Inez Evans Benson
Busby Alex RomanApril 15, 2026

Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience

The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →
New Cincinnati Metro bus stop sign with large route numbers and clear layout at a city intersection, part of a systemwide signage upgrade initiative.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 13, 2026

Cincinnati Metro Begins Countywide Bus Stop Sign Upgrade

Metro launches a 24-month project to replace 3,700 bus stop signs, introducing improved visibility, QR-enabled rider info, and expanded amenities across Hamilton County.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A BART train on the tracks.
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March

BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).

Read More →
Rod Diridon Sr. speaking at a podium wearing a brown blazer.
Managementby StaffApril 13, 2026

Transit Leader Rod Diridon Sr., ‘Father of Modern Transit’ in Silicon Valley, Dies at 87

See how the longtime public servant and transportation visionary helped shape Bay Area transit systems and championed rail development nationwide.

Read More →
FlixBus vehicles in a parking garage.
ManagementApril 13, 2026

Intercity Bus Industry Outlook: A Mix of Apprehension & Optimism

Industry leaders see both promise and peril ahead as intercity bus travel rebounds, but unpredictable market forces threaten to reshape the sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ribbon cutting photo celebrating SEPTA's new Ardmore Station
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station

The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.

Read More →
Passengers in crowded SEPTA station
Managementby StaffApril 10, 2026

SEPTA Releases Proposed $2.7B Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

The plan represents an increase of just 1.9% over the current year, and includes investments in new buses, more full-length fare gates, and other enhancements for customers.

Read More →
Two Metra locomotives on rail tracks.
Railby StaffApril 10, 2026

Metra Reaches New 10-Year Agreement with BNSF

The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover Photo for Bus Tech Talk
ManagementApril 9, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.

Read More →