Doug Gardiner & his family celebrating his 45 year milestone. Photo by Victoria Sartor, Blackburnnews.com.Doug Gardiner & his family celebrating his 45 year milestone. Photo by Victoria Sartor, Blackburnnews.com.
London

LTC Driver Reaches Safe Driving Milestone

The London Transit Commission is celebrating Doug Gardiner as the first driver in Ontario Safety League history to reach 45 years of safe driving.

Born and raised in London, Gardiner started driving the bus when he was just 21 years old.

He says the key to holding a career for this long is truly enjoying what you do.

"I think you have to like your job and make sure you go to it, be punctual, but enjoy it. Mainly enjoy what you're doing. Don't just do it for the money. You have to like what you're doing and if you don't like it then you shouldn't be doing it," says Gardiner.

Gardiner says he's seen massive changes over the years, from the fleets of buses to the routes and people. He credits his success as a driver to being punctual and being able to adjust his driving habits to the changing roads.

"And there's a lot of luck, too. There's skill, but there's luck, too," he adds.

Gardiner says he feels very honoured to be celebrated and he is going to keep driving for as long as he can.

"As long as I have my health, or the ministry or the government says you can't do it any longer, but the health is the big thing, and I enjoy it, so why not do it?"

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