RIPTA bus driver celebrating 50 years behind the wheel

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — It’s year 50 behind the wheel for RIPTA’s most tenured driver, Stanley Fallens, who was born and raised in Providence.

“The clock don’t wait, I remember when I got hired back in December of 1975,” Fallens said. “The busses back then…no air conditioning…no power steering.”

The 73-year-old had seen a lot, including the infamous blizzard of 1978, just a few years into his career.

“I remember I had to sleep in the fire station on Sockanosset [Cross] Road for four nights,” Fallens said. “I was coming in from Coventry that night, and the bus made it as far as Garden City, hit a snow bank and that was it.”

After all these years, Fallens still works part time for RIPTA, filling in occasionally if a substitute driver is needed.

“It makes me feel proud, the State House is honoring me, the House, the Senate, and the Lieutenant Governor’s office,” Fallens said. “That makes me feel good.”

ABC6 asked if he had any advice for people just starting their careers.

“Come in with a good attitude, be pleasant, be nice,” Fallens said. “For young people, you come here, you do your job, you’ll be happy.”

Fallens is set to officially celebrate his 50-year milestone in December.