I’ve happily rode on Red Buses he skillfully maneuvered around Roosevelt Island, deftly navigating double parkers and easing by other buses in the narrow stretch just south of the Octagon. I expressed my gratitude for his willingness to come out on holidays and weekends, despite never having met David Cass. However, after what I saw on Saturday, I knew I had to.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Meeting David Cass
After he swept his bus around the Octagon’s entrance and into the stop under the big, shady tree, I waited until the riders ahead of me cleared out.
“I just wanted to thank you for what you did back at the subway stop.” I shook his hand.
Could I take his picture because I wanted to make sure others knew what he did? It was unprecedented in my years on Roosevelt Island, including thousands of rides.
He demurred but only a little.
“I’ve been driving for over 30 years,” he said, as if what he did was just a matter of experience. It wasn’t. It called for not just a big heart, but also a sense of duty. He wasn’t getting anything extra for his efforts.
Kindness
The late Saturday afternoon bus was crowded. The usual, depressing array of strollers and parents with kids clogged the aisle, taking up almost all the seats reserved for seniors and others in need. As Cass eased to a stop outside the subway, the sidewalk filled with waiting passengers, an older man – the only one who got a seat among the strollers and young families – rose unsteadily. He wobbled, leaning heavily on a cane.
There was barely room to stand and only then after a stroller was pulled back almost onto the driver’s lap. The dad handling the stroller could easily have gotten off to make way, but he didn’t.
Here’s where Cass stepped in. Stretching around the stroller, he gently took the man by the arm and led him off the bus, but he didn’t stop there. Slowly but surely, he walked the man through the crowd on the sidewalk. He walked him into the station and was inside long enough to make sure he got oriented and in the right direction.
The driver sat back behind the wheel again, making all stops ahead as if it was just another circuit along Main Street. And maybe it was, for him, but I had never seen any bus driver do anything that kind. Not that some aren’t thoughtful, but maybe few are that thoughtful.
Thanks to One of a Kind
There are lots of kind, thoughtful people on Roosevelt Island as well as working for RIOC, but you can’t help feeling outnumbered by those who aren’t. We routinely see younger generations convincing us that their parents no longer teach courtesy and manners as ours did.
The young and entitled grab the first available seat on Red Buses and the Tram and sit there while seniors and people with obvious physical issues stand. This isn’t news anymore, but when a good man like David Cass intervenes, then goes the extra mile, it lifts us with hope that others will learn by watching.
Tip of the hat to him and to RIOC for this hiring. Make sure he stays.
Maybe we can all learn from David Cass and be better in own lives.
An Emergency, Apparently
Read the full article to learn more about this story.
David Cass is a very nice driver. He is top 2 Red bus driver’s in my book. Always professional and friendly. Thanks for your work. In an island of selfish drivers/parkers it is not easy to keep a cool demeanor but he finds a way to stay cool.
David is exceptional, even among a generally good crew hired and developed by Cy and Eddie.