RTD Driver of the Month: Eric Holcomb

Each month, RTD encourages passengers to nominate a bus driver or light rail operator who goes above and beyond to make their experience memorable. This month’s winning nomination goes to Route 15 bus driver, Eric Holcomb. The 15 travels east and west on Colfax Avenue from downtown Denver to 17th and Chambers.

His nomination was submitted by Lisa Barr, who was impressed with Eric’s concerns for safety and his friendly approach.

"Eric is by far the BEST bus driver I have ever had with RTD. He is open and genuinely friendly to everyone coming onto his bus. He jokes around in an appropriate way, and drives very safely (he’s never slamming on his breaks). He has an awareness of safety and even tells me to be safe when I exit the bus. I’ve never felt so safe on a 15 bus than I do when he is driving. I take this route Tuesday – Friday going home from work. I smile all the way home thinking of his great sense of humor and the consistent pleasant experience he gives all the passengers on his bus."

After receiving the commendation from Lisa, we wanted to know more about Eric and he graciously agreed to answer a few of our questions.

How long have you worked for RTD and have you always been a Bus Driver?

I have worked for RTD for 12 years, and have always been a driver.

What were you in a previous life?

I joined the army when I was 20 years old and started my military career as part of the air defense artillery (shooting down airplanes from the ground), and retired as a Staff Sergeant. In the mid 90’s I drove soldiers around in a bus and loved it. After retiring from the army I drove a city bus in Akron, Ohio until I came back home to Denver and started working for RTD.

What do you like best about your job?

The best thing about driving is the people. Driving the bus up and down Colfax is an exciting challenge all by itself, but the best part is all the interesting people I get to see or meet. I always try to have a positive attitude, and deal with everyone and every situation in a positive way. Dealing with so many attitudes, personalities, and moods is what makes driving Route 15 the most interesting job in the world.

If you could listen to music while working, what type?

I would listen to R&B (old school like Earth, Wind and Fire), jazz (Kenny G, Al Jarreau), rap (Eminem, Jay Z), and pop (Adele, Cold Play)

If you could deck out your train, what style?

The outside of my bus would be decked out with a wrap of the Earth, Wind and Fire album cover “Last Days in Time”. Inside the bus would have strobe lights and disco balls, and the music would definitely be old school 70’s and 80’s.

If you could change your uniform color, what color or does brown/gray go with your eyes?

I spent more than 20 years in the military, so I’m a uniform man. I like the brown uniform and I really like the new black and grey uniforms.

What type of service would you drive if given the choice and/or favorite service to drive or operate?

I drove different routes my first year with RTD but none as interesting as the 15. I will probably drive the 15 the rest of my time at RTD and of course, I will stay driving at night.

What are your favorite hobbies or activities?

My hobbies are buying and listening to CD’s, and then downloading songs I like onto my IPod. I also enjoy reading books – autobiographies of famous singers like James Brown and Aretha Franklin, and spy novels by Robert Ludlum.