Bus operator locates missing teen; named TRANSECURE Employee of the Year

Ottawa - Ernesto Obas is OC Transpo's 2000 TRANSECURE Employee of the Year. He received the award this morning for his role in recovering a missing teenager.

On October 11, bus operator Ernesto Obas was driving route 85 near the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. At approximately 1:30 a.m., Ernesto heard a general broadcast from the OC Transpo Control Centre that police were asking for help to locate a young teen that was last seen near CHEO. Soon after, Ernesto realized that a boy matching the description had been on his bus, had disembarked and was now at the doors of CHEO. The doors were locked.

Ernesto called the control centre to confirm the description. Trying not to arouse the boy's suspicion, Ernesto cautiously approached him, struck up a conversation and eventually convinced the boy to get back on the bus.

Once on board and on their way, Ernesto called Control to inform them that the boy was on the bus. The police soon met Ernesto's bus and safely returned the youngster to his mother.

"Ernesto went beyond the call of duty by taking the time to approach the boy and convince him to return to the safety of the bus," said Transportation and Transit Chair Madeleine Meilleur. "We are very proud of him and all operators who contribute to the safety of our community by participating in TRANSECURE, OC Transpo's neighborhood watch program on wheels."

"These OC Transpo employees serve as ambassadors to our city. Their concern for the community and its safety makes them key contributors to the quality of life in Ottawa," said Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli.

Since the TRANSECURE program's inception in October 1989, OC Transpo employees have logged more than 8500 TRANSECURE calls. Just under 600 calls were recorded in 2000.

Contact:
Lucille Doré 842-3632
720-0533 Cellular

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