'A nice journey': Bernard Huggins nears 50 years as Votran bus driver

There aren't many bus drivers like Bernard Huggins.

He's been at it for over 47 years with Votran, Volusia County's public transit system. He's driven over 3.5 million miles with no preventable accidents, transporting Volusia County residents to and from shopping trips, medical appointments, work and other destinations.

Huggins, 71, has had perfect attendance, and he's done just about everything.

"I have worked every shift there is," said Huggins, who now has his pick of routes after working in the business for so many years.

Volusia County needs more drivers like Huggins.

There were 145 Votran bus operators as of Jan. 11. But that's about 50 short of what the public transit system needs, according to government officials. The system reduced the frequency of service on some routes in 2022 to adjust for the shortage.

While Votran is offering higher pay and hiring more people, the shortage has not improved recently because of retirements, according to Heather Belden, Volusia County Community Information marketing specialist.

Jail investigation:Volusia County fires corrections director

County government news:5 incoming council members hold the power to change Volusia County

Huggins is also nearing retirement, but for now he's driving routes on the west side of the county. On the weekdays, riders can see him around Deltona, Orange City and DeBary.

His shift begins a little after 12 p.m. with looking over the bus to make sure everything looks good. He's done by about 8 p.m.

"It keeps me going, and I just want to do another three years here, do 50 years, and that's my milestone," Huggins said. "Been a nice journey for me."

'I love people'

Like he does normally, Huggins pulled up near a strip mall on Saxon Boulevard in Orange City on a Tuesday afternoon. Passengers walked off the bus and others waited on benches along one side of the large parking lot. One woman held an umbrella that provided shade from the sun. A few riders boarded the bus and waited with Huggins.

A man with a large backpack approached the bus as Huggins waited before departure, and Huggins offered advice about routes. Then, a few minutes later, Huggins set off on a lap around the route, on a cool, sunny afternoon.

The bus stopped to pick up one woman who boarded carrying a large bag. Huggins offered her a warm greeting, and a goodbye when she left.

Huggins said his riders have kept him in the role.

"I had other jobs offered to me, but I turned them down. ... I love what I do. I love being with people," said Huggins, who gathered alongside Votran and county government officials in November to talk about his work.

Some of his passengers bring him gifts.

"They bring me salad and different things, yeah, chicken strips from Publix," he said.

Ralf Heseler, senior planner with Votran, said Huggins has had multiple opportunities to climb the transit system's ladder.

"I mean, he could've been the GM, probably, if he wanted to, or a supervisor, but he chose not to because he loves the people and that interaction," Heseler said.

Part of the job includes caring for people with disabilities. All fixed-route buses have lifts or ramps to allow for wheelchair access, and drivers are trained in how to help secure people in wheelchairs on the bus so they have a safe ride, according to votran.org.

Votran provides a critical service. Votran data about the typical rider in 2021 showed that 59% of riders used the service 5-7 days a week, and 41% used it to go to work or shopping, according to Votran's Transit Development Plan. Most riders were also over 45 and most earned less than $20,000 a year, according to the report.

Votran provided about 3.2 million rides in fiscal 2019 as part of its fixed-route service, according to the plan. Votran also provides service to people who cannot use the fixed-route system.

Kelvin Miller, general manager of Votran, said the agency's driver shortage is part of a larger staffing problem for other employers in the country.

To help, Votran has increased starting pay from $14.34 to $17 an hour for fixed routes. Employees also get health insurance, a 401K plan and training to earn a commercial driver's license. Votran is also offering hiring bonuses.

"We'd like to think that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and that we'll be able to hire more folks," he said.

Lift their spirits

Huggins, of Deltona, joined Votran in 1975, the year the Volusia County Council created Votran. He grew up in Tallahassee, and driving runs in his family; his dad and brothers drove semitrailers, he said.

"But I decided I wanted to be a bus driver. I didn't want to be a truck driver ... because I like people," Huggins said.

His time at Votran included driving a trolley at night in Daytona Beach, which was very active during spring break, he said.

Having driven so many miles successfully, Huggins said his approach is to stay focused when behind the wheel ― a key for any driver, but especially with a vehicle that has a seating capacity of around 30 people.

"I'm just aware of everything around me. It's very important," he said.

After he retires, he said he might be on the road even more.

"I would like to just take a trip in a nice van or something and go all the way to New Orleans and go out West, just make a big circle, you know? Because I love to drive," he said.

But, at least for the next couple of years, riders will see Huggins on the west side of Volusia County. And if they're having a bad day, they might even get a few words of encouragement.

"They might have a problem, you know, but I try to lift they spirit by saying nice things," he said. "You know, 'Tomorrow's going to be a better day than today, and sometimes it takes something bad but something good will come of it. And you're going to get through today no matter what happens. You're going to be just fine.'"

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Votran looks to fill driver shortage; a top employee nears retirement