When Peter Moore started out as a bus operator, he knew any kind of accident meant he’d likely be looking for a new line of work. So, starting out, he figured he’d just do his best to make the job last as long as he could.  

“I always looked at it as a day-to-day job,” Moore recalled. “It just so happened to work out to 40 years. I kind of surprised myself.” 

One reason for his longevity: An impeccable record that allowed him to retire as one of just two Metro Transit operators to achieve 40 consecutive years of safe driving. Moore retired with that unique distinction in January 2025.  

That stellar record, he said, came in part from years of working quiet overnight roads. But whether it was day or night, he always put safety first and schedule second, “taking whatever the traffic gave me,” as he said.  

“I also had a really unique trainer who impressed a few important things on me early on, including to hog the road and always stay under the speed limit,” Moore said. “That was an early lesson in this job you’re here to pick people up, not just drive down the road.” 

Before coming to what was then known as the Metropolitan Transit Commission, Moore spent several years as a school bus driver. In that role, he met people working part-time driving city buses and saw a chance to improve his lot in life, an important thing for a new father.  

After “bullying” his way in, Moore spent time at the Heywood and Shingle Creek garages before landing in 1995 at Nicollet, where he’d remain for the rest of his career. He liked the garage primarily because of the diverse people he got to work with and learn from. “We have people here from all over the world, and it’s always been interesting and fun to hear their stories and get to know about all these different cultures,” Moore said.  

In retirement, Moore planned to retire to Little Falls, Minn., and spend more time with his children, grandchildren, and wife. As for those following in his footsteps here?  “If you have the right mental attitude and are a good map reader it can be a pretty easy and steady job,” he said.