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

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.

Texas Veterans Commission Awards ETCOG $250K for Veteran Transport with GoBus

By GoBus • June 4, 2025
Recently, the Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) announced its largest funding in the 16-year history of FVA programs, with 213 grants totaling $46,315,000 to provide services to an estimated 40,000 veterans. ETCOG is proud to be one of the grant recipients selected with $250,000 of those funds to provide GoBus transportation services for veterans in our 14-county service region. "It is an honor to receive this funding award from the Texas Veterans Commission and Chair Koerner, which allows us to continue our mission to support all East Texas veterans," said Vince Huerta, GoBus Director. "We are dedicated to growing the program and look forward to assisting more veterans this year." With the grant, our public transit system, GoBus, will fund trips to and from medical, dental, and mental health appointments, as well as trips for basic needs such as grocery stores, community meetings, voting, court appearances, and tax offices. These trips are available to veterans, veteran spouses and dependents, survivor spouses, and active military personnel. The grant is in partnership with over $46.3 million in grants for veterans, Governor Abbott announced on May 20 . “Texas is forever indebted to the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in our nation's military,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans—more than any other state. This has shaped our mission to provide wide-ranging services for veterans and their families. With over $46,315,000 in state grants, Texas will help thousands of veterans and their families access vital support and resources needed to thrive in our great state. Texas will always support our veterans and honor their sacrifices to our state and our nation.” Find out about all veteran transport services GoBus offers by visiting www.gobustransit.com/govet .

Book a Service Today