That's right, today is International Bus Driver Appreciation Day (http://www.metro-magazine.com/Blog/Transit-Dispatches/Story/2012/03/This-Sunday-thank-your-bus-driver.aspx?ref=TransitDispatches-20120316&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter).
Man, if only I knew! March 18th was also Valley Metro's birthday. That was the day in 1975 that it became a publicly-funded transit agency and took over the assets of Roanoke (VA) City Lines. I "celebrated" the next day by speaking before Roanoke City Council and urging them not to eliminate Peak service (1/2 hour buses during optimum commute times) as such move would have depleted 18 drivers' jobs and immobilized many dependent riders. I also chatted briefly with a few union drivers, who were out with signs concerning the same cause. (DISCLAIMER: I am not employed by either Valley Metro or the City of Roanoke, I merely acted on my own free will as a concerned citizen.)