FILLMORE : Insurer Honors Bus Firm’s Safety Record

Nearly 1 million accident-free miles logged by drivers for Fillmore Area Transit have been rewarded by the company’s insurance carrier at a small ceremony.

The private bus company received a Gold Safety award from the New York-based Lancer Insurance Co. for avoiding fender-benders and more serious accidents for the past five years.

“We’re very proud of the fact that we have a good safety record,” said Jeri Morris, president of the eight-bus transit company. “It takes a lot of time and effort to keep our employees up to date on regulations.”

Driver Phil White said his key to safe driving is to always pay attention.

“You have to be aware of what’s around you and always be aware of what’s ahead of you,” said White, a retired driver for a parcel delivery company who has worked part time for Fillmore Area Transit for 10 years.

Tex Jennings, a FAT driver since 1987, said he has avoided accidents for almost 20 years.

“When I came to work here seven years ago, my DMV rap sheet had nothing to report,” said Jennings, who logged hundreds of miles a week when he worked as a traveling salesman in his younger days.

“I’ve had a lot of near-misses, so I consider myself lucky,” he said.

Fillmore Area Transit operates eight buses five days a week along three different routes. More than 50,000 riders a year board the buses, Morris said.

Residents can take the central city commuter, which travels throughout Fillmore several times each day. Another bus shuttles people to Piru and back, and a third route travels to Santa Paula and Ventura.