The Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at its March 4 meeting, designating March 18 as Transit Driver Appreciation Day.

“It’s wonderful to be able to have a special day just to acknowledge our drivers,” said Cathy Bonsell, KT employee transportation coordinator for Bremerton. They’re really our connection to the community and to services.”

Also during the meeting, Greg Woodfill, president of Amalgamated Transportation Union 587, which represents Kitsap Transit employees, highlighted concerns about the speed of contract negotiations amid rising living costs affecting bus operators. “I know they would appreciate it if both their union leaders and Kitsap Transit would get a little more urgency since this has been a long time and get that done,” he said.

The board also went over its fourth quarter (October through December) report from 2024. It indicates that KT carried 755,000 passengers during that time period, a 17% increase from the year prior. The agency also carried 287,000 passengers via foot and fast ferry during the same period, per the report.