ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090103
SECTION: DISCOVER ROANOKE VALLEY PAGE: 22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
"Buses are kind of a specialty," John Thompson explained. "And people that work on them, it kind of gets in their blood."
The assistant director of maintenance for Valley Metro would know. It's been in his blood for two generations now.
He grew up on Roanoke's buses, riding with his father, a driver for 40 years. He started cleaning buses in 1973, when he was 16. His brother Wayne, now head mechanic with Valley Metro, started in 1969, when he was 16.
"You had to bring your report card in, and if you didn't make good grades, they wouldn't let you work," Thompson said.
These days, Valley Metro carries about 5,000 people a day. Its 38 buses travel about 1.3 million miles a year.
That means those people are depending on Thompson to help keep them running, and running safely.
"John really keeps it all together back there for us," said Kathryn Weikel, assistant general manager for Valley Metro.
Thompson is one of those people - there's at least one in every office - who seems to have an answer for every question.
Where's the extra copier paper?
What year did we overhaul the engine in bus 24?
Where do I get a universal leveler valve for a 1991 Gillig bus?
A master mechanic came into Thompson's office and asked that question.
"Delbert can get those at Virginia Truck Center," was Thompson's quick reply. "He's over there now. I'll get him to pick up a couple."
For eight years, Thompson was a purchaser for Valley Metro, and he has yet to entirely give up that job. He simply knows too much.
"He's really been kind of an older brother to us," said Mike Conley, manager of Blacksburg Transit.
"We'll be scratching our heads, saying, 'Where are going to get one of these?'" Conley says. Thompson always knows a place. If he has the part in stock, he'll let Conley take it and replace it when Conley can get one ordered.
"Whatever it is that we're doing," Conley said, "if I can spend a half-hour with [John], I feel better about it."
At one time, Thompson solved his problems with a wrench. These days, he uses a pen. While his boss, Roy Meador, handles the garage, Thompson keeps on top of training and safety.
It's a sophisticated business.
When he started cleaning buses 23 years ago, he didn't have to have a Hepatitis B shot, but Thompson makes sure his bus cleaners have them. And his boss back then probably didn't know a darn thing about blood-borne pathogens, but Thompson does.
Thompson also is one of the organizers for the region's bus rodeo, a driving competition that rewards drivers for their ability to maneuver a 35-foot diesel beast safety through city streets.
Thompson says it's just what you have to do to provide a "safe, clean bus for the public."
Thompson has his hands full most of the time, according to his big brother, but having family around the bus barn makes things easier.
"This is like home," the younger Thompson said.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB