Before CTrain tracks crisscrossed our city, before bus rapid transit lines, and even before power steering, Calgary Transit operator Syd Banks was taking Calgarians where they needed to go.He’s something of a local legend, famous as the hospitable Calgary Transit CTrain operator making surprise time, weather, sports score and tour guide announcements delighting his customers.After 50 years and six months on the job, Banks is Calgary Transit’s longest serving operator.“It's been a wonderful experience. I think I've been blessed and that I've had some of the nicest people riding my trains and buses. And you know, you develop a special friendship and camaraderie with some wonderful colleagues and customers, which is really nice,” says Banks.The improvements and evolution of transit service in Calgary since Banks began his career in the 1970s has been far reaching in our growing city, he says, pointing to the vital service offered by accessible shuttles, buses, CTrains and Calgary Transit Access.“One of the big changes that I've noticed is that the transit system definitely has been made more convenient for passengers to ride and to help them get around the city. I think the transit has really kept up with the city as much as it possibly can. I've been in other cities where I don't think it's as near as convenient for people to ride their transit systems as it is here in the city of Calgary.”“I don't think you can appreciate it until you actually work here and get talking with the people to see how dependent they are on the transit. People just count on it because they have no other way to get around, to go to the doctors, to go shopping, to go to their workplace. A lot of people don't even own cars. And now some that do own cars, of course find the transit more convenient. And especially with the cost of the price of gas right now, it's definitely got more people using the trains to keep the overhead down and try to make ends meet.”Banks served Calgarians as a bus operator for nearly 35 years but as he was eyeing retirement, he was encouraged to try becoming a CTrain operator.“My grandchildren said to me, ‘Grandpa, you should go drive the CTrain so you can say that you drove them.’ And I took the training and 16 years later, here I am having a ball. It's just been like a brand-new career and I have just loved it.”And what about those fun announcements on the CTrain? “Well, you know, I missed talking with the people on the buses because when they got on, I'd always say good morning. They'd say good morning back and they'd tell me a little bit about themselves. And when I got on the trains, I missed that. And so I said, what can I do to, you know, get to know my passengers better? And so, I decided, hey, why don't I just say good morning to them and as well maybe give them the weather forecast for the next few days or the current day. And that went over really well.”Calgary Transit customers were charmed by Banks’ warm personal touch and contacted 311 to make formal commendations. But they also showed their gratitude directly. “I have several people come and tap on my window throughout the week saying, ‘thank you, you made my day.’”As he reflects on a lifetime serving Calgarians, Banks shares words of gratitude: “I'd like to say thank you to all of my passengers for their smiles and waves every day, for their sincerity and just for the friendship that they pass along to me. It's very touching and I just really appreciate it."