02/25/2026
A look back at a landmark year of events. retrospective on SMART‑TD GO875 and what 2025 represented for the Irwindale‑based General Committee of Adjustment. Milestones painted a meaningful picture of the year.
*Moscars Awards
The Metros Moscars awards is an annual event hosted by the Stephanie Wiggins, Metro’s CEO to celebrate excellence in the workplace. The awards recognize and highlighted the hard work of individual employees, various teams, including SMART-TD GO875 Committee and officers. This special recognition was due in part for the completion of the barrier project in all of Metro’s fleet.
*California Transportation Foundation (CTF) 36th Annual Transportation Awards. General Chairperson, John M. Ellis Accepted an award alongside LACMTA’s CEO, Stephanie Wiggins as they were recoginized for “PROJECT OF THE YEAR” for L.A. Metro’s bus Operator barrier project.
*SMART-TD GO875 Committee leadership met with LA Metro William Scott, the new Chief of Police who will lead Metro’s new own in-house police force which is expected to hire approximately 700 officers to help protect SMART’s Operators more efficiently in the near future.
*SMART-TD GO875 teams, (left to right) Local Chairperson 1607/Secretary Of The GCA875 – Julia Mejia, General Chairperson - John M. Ellis and Local Chairperson 1565/Vice General Chairperson – Quintin Wormley were attendees of the Mobileye Shield+ Collision Avoidance system and Video Mirror System Pilot programs:
Both are pilot avoidance systems. A video mirror system which replaced the side mirrors on a bus.
The Luminator Video Mirror provides some of the following benefits to our Operators:
• Increase Safety-The system alerts the driver of a potential danger in the blind spot area by switching a light on. Comprising cameras and a display, it also allows the driver to have an optimized view of their environment and to better evaluate the distance between their vehicle and the other road users.
• Reduce Driver Fatigue due to placement of the monitors and less strain on the eyes
• Integrated cleaning system ensures that cameras are always able to take critical images
• The Collision avoidance system and Video mirror are both still being piloted and the majority of the Operators who are testing the programs are happy with the program. There will be a new survey of a new technology starting March.
*General Chairperson, John M. Ellis and Local Chairperson 1565/Vice General Chairperson Quintin Wormley attended the 2028 Games Regional Transportation Summit, which focused on the highlights that LA Metro’s transportation and mobility departments have planned for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games that will have a great impact on Transportation. The communication with Metro’s CEO, Stephanie Wiggins to keep SMART in the know is appreciated and provided a clear and comprehensive update on Games-related mobility strategies, safety and security planning, and equity-focused initiatives that will underpin a seamless and inclusive Games experience.
*Bus World Europe Brussles Belgium
Attendees, John M. Ellis, General Chairperson, Quintin Wormley, Vice General Chairperson/Local Chairperson of 1565, Julo Mejia Secretary of GCA/Local Chairperson of 1607.
Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO extended an invitation for SMART to attend an expo that will define the future of bus assets and service delivery through several key initiatives such as infrastructure at Divisions and stations, new bus designs that include improved Operator compartment, frontal/side collisions avoidance, potential weapons detection and other advance technologies. “Through a joint collaborative effort with Metro. We will continue to protect our Operators with the latest technology available” said, John M. Ellis.
In picture left to right Metro and SMART team, Jesus Montes, Amy, Jim Lindsay, Conan Cheung, Jeff Schaeffer, John M. Ellis, John T, Fernando Dultra, Matt Dake, Fredrick Hines, Julio Mejia, Quintin Wormley and Edna Stanley
*While LAMCTA Operator/SMART Local 1564 Member Kerry Stuart was operating his bus, a passenger seated near the rear door was violently assaulted by another rider who was exiting the vehicle. The passenger sustained a severe neck wound and begun bleeding heavily.
As other passengers panicked—some fleeing and others recording the incident—Operator Stuart immediately took decisive action. He removed his shirt, applied pressure to the wound, and remained with the injured passenger until medical personnel arrived.
His quick thinking and bravery were instrumental in saving the passenger’s life.
SMART Local 1564 formally honored Operator Stuart for his heroic actions. Left to Right: Nathan Henderson – Vice President; Wanda Muñoz – President; Kerry Stuart – Honoree Member Division 18; Andy Carter – Local Chairperson and Gregory Smith – Vice Chairperson.
