Published September 07. 2022 01:28PM
Three longtime Paragon Transit Co. bus drivers were honored at a service recognition dinner held Aug. 25 at the Superior Restaurant, 102 State Ave., Emmaus.
Paragon Transit, headquartered in Emmaus, is the bus company that has transported Salisbury Township School District students for nearly 20 years.
Driver Ray Raysley received his school bus driver certification in 2004 in Virginia, where he was a school bus driver and “driver of the year” at a Virginia facility before moving to Pennsylvania 14 years ago. Raysley saw a Paragon Transit employee with a logo jacket and decided to apply at Paragon. He remembered being the snowblower operator at the depot for 13 years during winter storms.
Louise Beitler received her school bus driver certification in 1984 and began her Paragon career as a trip driver. She remembers being stuck on Interstate 78 by a traffic accident for an hour near the Hellertown interstate entry with a girls soccer team.
Barbara Borchick received her school bus driver certification in 1992. She mentioned a favorite memory of a male Chihuahua named “Sue” who often tried to board her bus during her transit route.
Other drivers were feted for their five- and 10-years of service with Paragon.
The Paragon drivers will also be recognized at the September meeting of the Salisbury Township School Board.
PRESS PHOTO BY JIM MARSH Russ Leibensperger, president of Paragon Transit Co., the provider of bus transportation for Salisbury Township School District students, pays tribute to three longtime bus drivers who have retired. Pictured are, left to right: Leibensperger, Ray Raysley, Louise Beitler and Barbara Borchick, the retiring drivers; Joanna Garcia, of Easton, Paragon Transit's manager of the company's Gaskill Avenue bus depot and Warren Levy Jr., Quakertown, president of the Levy Bus Co., the corporate parent of Paragon Transit.
