Syd Banks stepped off his CTrain at Somerset-Bridlewood Station to be greeted by applause and celebration for his 50 year long career.
Banks started with Calgary transit on Nov. 5, 1973. It was a frigid November day with the temperature around minus 20 degrees Celsius. His career has now spanned 50 and a half years making him Calgary Transit’s longest serving operator. During his career he became known for the personal care he would take with transit customers and weather reports on his morning CTrain routes.
Calgary Transit celebrated Monday at Somerset-Bridlewood Station to commemorate the event with cake and balloons set up for Banks as he recalled some of the many memories he made and people he met driving buses and CTrains for the city.
“On Drivers Appreciation Day she got in the front of where I was, and when I got to Brentwood station she tapped the door and handed me an envelope. On the front of the envelope it said, ‘drivers appreciation card.’ I opened it up and there was a little note there, and it said, ‘guaranteed coffee card,’ and it was a $5 bill. So I’ll never forget that,” said Banks.
Banks had originally driven buses for Calgary Transit for 34 and a half years, and was getting ready to retire at 35 years of service.
“My three grandsons said to me, ‘Grandpa, you just have to drive the CTrain so we can tell our friends that you drove the CTrain,’” said Banks.
Sign up for the CTrain operators opened close to when Banks had decided to retire, and he decided to try it for six months, which ended up turning into 16 years.
The changing face of Calgary and the transit system
Calgary has changed a lot in the 50 years Banks has worked for Calgary Transit. He recalled how 58 Avenue used to be the edge of the city, and now Calgary extends almost 20 kilometers beyond that.
One thing that never changed for Banks was his focus on the Calgarians that got on his train. He became a “cherished figure,” according to Calgary Transit, earning respect from customers and colleagues alike.
“I guess I just enjoyed people. I found out over the years, and it took me a while to find out that, the more you let people know that you appreciate them, the more that they appreciate you back. I guess it’s that old saying that you get out of something what you put into it,” said Banks.
Sharon Fleming, director of Calgary Transit, said that Banks stood out right away for his popularity among transit customers.
“He’s so positive. He likes to entertain everyone as they’re on their commute, and really provides an enjoyable experience to all of those customers every day,” said Fleming.
With no plans for retirement, Banks continues to serve Calgarians bringing positive energy and accurate weather reports to his morning routes.
CORRECTION: The original post for this story stated Syd Banks had retired. The headline has been to updated to reflect that is not the case.