Bus Operator Awards

As more wheelchair-accessible buses became available, passengers continued to have problems boarding. Some bus operators did not want to be bothered and would not pick up a passenger if they saw their wheelchair. To encourage better behavior, EPVA held Bus Operator Awards events to recognize courteous drivers.

Date: 1995

Image Description: A color brochure cover on a light green background titled “12th New York City Bus Operator Awards Program.” The graphic design features a clock face pointing to 12 at the top left, a brown-and-white illustration of the front of a bus with a wheelchair user symbol on a deployed lift platform in the center, and a large steering wheel over a dashed road line at the bottom right. Text in the lower left reads: “Awards Ceremony: Friday, November 20, 1998, 10 a.m., The Lighthouse, 111 E. 59th Street, New York, NY. Nominations accepted: Monday, September 21st through Friday, October 16th.” Logos at the bottom right credit “Sponsored by: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association” and “In cooperation with: MTA New York City Transit.”

Creator: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA); MTA New York City Transit

Source: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) Collection

Bus operator Jovito Martinez smiling and holding his 12th Annual New York City Bus Operator Awards certificate.

Date: 1995

Image Description: A black-and-white portrait of awardee Jovito Martinez wearing a transit cap, white collared shirt, striped tie, and dark buttoned sweater vest, smiling as he holds his framed award certificate. The certificate features the EPVA logo and reads: “12th New York City Bus Operator Awards / The Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association presents this certificate to Jovito Martinez with appreciation for your courtesy, proficiency and professionalism in providing accessible bus service to New Yorkers with disabilities,” signed by Terrence J. Moakley, Associate Executive Director. Two posters for the “12th New York City Bus Operator Awards Program” hang on the wall behind him.

Source: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) Collection

A large group of bus operators holding award certificates and three wheelchair users pose together inside New York City Hall.

Date: 1983

Image Description: A black-and-white group photograph from the first Bus Operator Awards ceremony held at New York City Hall in 1983. Three wheelchair users—two men in suits and ties on the left and a woman wearing a white outfit on the right—sit in the front row, while approximately twenty bus operators and officials in suits and transit uniforms stand behind them holding white award certificates from the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA). Tall windows and ornate interior columns are visible in the background.

Source: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) Collection

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