A Career Driven by Passion - The 45-Year Transit Journey of ATU Member Al Wells
When Al Wells began his career in public transit in January 1979 with Local 682-Fort Wayne, Indiana, he had no idea he was embarking on a lifelong journey that would span nearly half a century. What started as a simple job application became a defining chapter of his life, one marked by dedication, pride, and an enduring love for serving his community.
At the time, Wells was working in a factory, driving a forklift for modest pay and with few benefits. His wife mentioned his job search to a classmate who often attended class in uniform. That classmate suggested that Wells apply to the local city bus company, which was accepting applications. Taking her advice, he submitted one. A few months later, Wells received a call. Two people were hired out of eighty. He was one of them.
From his first day behind the wheel, Wells knew he had found his calling. “I loved the job from day one,” he recalls. His enthusiasm was unmistakable, both to passengers and coworkers alike. When his wife asked how long he planned to stay, his answer was simple: “Until it quits being fun, then I’ll quit doing it.”
That sense of joy and purpose carried Wells through 45 years of service. Throughout his career, he was a familiar face, a reliable presence, and a proud member of the ATU. His commitment ran so deep that he even got a tattoo of the company’s logo and his ATU Local on his right arm, a permanent badge of honor that symbolized his pride in his work and his union.
Now retired, Wells looks back with fondness on a career that never stopped being “fun.” Though he has traded his uniform for well-earned rest, his heart remains firmly with the people and the community he served for nearly five decades.
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