He’s only been here for five years but it’s been a remarkable five years.
Operations Manager Paul Buck will finish with Belleville Transit at the end of the month to take on a position with
Metrolinx, a provincial Crown Agency that manages and integrates public transit in the GTA.
Buck and technology company Pantonium teamed up to bring on-demand bus service to Belleville in 2018, a breakthrough
in public transit that led to a national award and international recognition.
Chair of the Transit Operations Advisory Committee Councillor Bill Sandison says Buck put Belleville on the map as far as public transit is concerned.
Sandison says Buck, who’s been in the business for 20 years, has “a passion for public transit.”
“His sort of background, his career, this move that he’s making is just an advancement in his career, in his service to public
transit. Certainly Belleville’s loss is Metrolinx’s gain.”
Sandison said Buck has brought in new technology and a new culture to the organization, all with a focus to provide better service to the riders. “His work has been impressive, to say the least. Someone will have big shoes to fill.”
Former city councillor Jack Miller was the Chair of the Transit Operations Advisory Committee when Buck was hired. At that point he was hired as a supervisor. When the Operations Manager position came open, the city’s then CAO Rick Kester asked Miller if he thought Buck should be promoted.
“It took me about one third of a second to say yes! This guy is good!” said Miller.
