Three GoBus Drivers Earn CDL Licenses

August 1, 2024

GOBUS

Congratulations to Chris Thomas, Glenn George, and Michael Owens!

We are proud to announce that three of our dedicated GoBus drivers, Chris Thomas, Glenn George, and Michael Owens, have successfully earned their Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) with passenger endorsements. This accomplishment was made possible through the GoBus Transit CDL program, which we proudly sponsor to ensure our drivers are well-equipped to serve our 14-county service area in East Texas.


The CDL program is partnered with Overton ISD and consists of four half-days of hands-on training led by Sarah Tharp, the Transportation Director. After completing training, participants meet at Lindale ISD, which offers licensed third-party testing to earn the CDL.

 

After successfully completing the program and test, the driver will have a Class B Commercial Driver's License with Passenger, School Bus, and Airbrake endorsements!


Chris Thomas shared his motivation for participating in the program: "I wanted to learn how to safely drive a larger vehicle as needed for GoBus." He found the training on different laws about trucks and buses particularly beneficial, as it gave him greater insight into passenger and vehicle safety. Chris has applied his new knowledge to perform thorough pre-trip inspections, enhancing his daily duties and contributing to safer transportation services.


Glenn George was driven by the desire to be a great employee and the ability to drive all types of buses. He highlighted the hands-on training in Overton, TX, as the most beneficial part of the program. "The instructor made sure that I had all the information, and the one-on-one training was great," he said. Glenn believes the program made him a safer driver and kept him at the top of his driving game, enabling him to transport of his driving game, enabling him to transport customers safely and be aware of potential distractions.


Michael Owens saw the program as an opportunity to become a more skilled driver at little cost to himself and to be eligible for special projects requiring a CDL. He appreciated the extensive digital training, which provided a deep understanding of the laws and regulations for operating CDL vehicles. Michael has been able to apply this knowledge daily, improving his vehicle handling, braking, and evasive maneuver skills. He believes having more CDL drivers on the road enhances safety for everyone, including passengers and the community.


All three drivers agree that the GoBus Transit CDL Program significantly enhances transportation services in East Texas. By providing additional training, the program ensures that our drivers can operate larger vehicles safely, meet the community's transportation needs more effectively, and uphold GoBus's commitment to safety.


We are thrilled with the achievements of Chris, Glenn, and Michael and look forward to the continued impact of their skills on our community. Their dedication and the training they received underscore our mission to provide safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation across East Texas.


Join us in congratulating our drivers on this significant milestone and celebrating their contributions to making our community safer and better connected.


You might also like

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a building with a blue ribbon, gold scissors, and green lawn.

Join Us for a Grand Opening Ceremony for our New GoBus Maintenance Facility!

By GoBus • October 2, 2025
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.
White bus with “GoBus” on back, parked in front of a building with a sign on a sunny day.

GoBus Pilot Programs Deliver Strong Results Across East Texas

By GoBus • September 3, 2025
The GoBus Service Expansion Pilot Programs are proving to be a major success, helping connect more people to the places they need to go. Launched earlier this year, GoBus added additional routes in several counties and the new GoNOW microtransit service in Palestine, which has already boosted ridership and expanded travel options for residents across the region. ETCOG's Transportation Director, Vince Huerta, shared that the frequency of service from rural areas into nearby cities has increased by an average of 75 percent in the participating counties. In Palestine, the GoNOW microtransit service has grown ridership by 22 percent within its first few months. “These are just a few of the measurable ways Service Expansion funds are directly benefiting our communities,” Huerta said. “Transportation isn’t just about mobility. It’s a lifeline for people to maintain independence, access medical care, secure jobs, and stay connected.” The pilot programs have made immediate impacts in Henderson, Anderson, Cherokee, Camp, Upshur, Harrison, Marion, and Van Zandt counties. Residents now have new or expanded routes into larger cities such as Tyler and Longview, more frequent connections, and local microtransit options. Community surveys and rider requests pointed to a need for more reliable connections to jobs, healthcare, and essential services. The Service Expansion Program is helping close those gaps and strengthen the entire 14-county region. Huerta also recognized the support of TxDOT staff in making the pilot projects a reality. “Our TxDOT Public Transportation Coordinator, Nancy Hoehn, has been an essential part of making these programs successful, and we are grateful for her ongoing commitment and support,” he said. GoBus will continue to monitor ridership, gather community feedback, and review performance to determine next steps. For more information about routes, schedules, and GoBus services, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-218-6450 .

GoBus Wins Marketing Spotlight Award from South West Transit Association

By GoBus • August 7, 2025
Pictured left to right: Baylea Evans, GoBus Strategic Development Manager; David Cleveland, ETCOG Executive Director; Lindsay Vanderbilt, Communications Director; Dylan Cook, Communications Specialist; Katey Pilgram, Associate Director of Transportation The East Texas Council of Governments ' rural transit system, GoBus, is pleased to be a recipient of the South West Transit Association's (SWTA) Annual Spotlight Awards. The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have significantly impacted their communities. ETCOG received the Hit The Spot: Social Media Award for rural systems for our campaign, “On the GO with GoBus!” produced to promote service availability in the rural areas surrounding Longview for residents of White Oak, Lakeport, Hallsville, and Gladewater. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for our social media campaign developed to raise awareness of public transportation options available within the Longview Urbanized Zone, but outside the city limits where city bus service is not available. These communities, though part of the urban area, were without access to reliable transit. Through TxDOT funding and a unique partnership between Longview Transit and GoBus, we were able to extend service to these underserved areas. The campaign focused on educating residents about their new access to affordable, reliable transportation options,” said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. Our Associate Director of Transportation, Katey Pilgram, joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the SWTA Summer University Conference held July 27-30, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards – reviewed and judged by marketing and communication professionals at transit agencies and private marketing firms – are among the oldest awards recognizing marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry, first awarded in 1990. SWTA's membership covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Book a Service Today