Bus driver brings cheer to community

Perhaps they are drawn by his festive decorations or hooked on his lively music. But more likely the faithful West Philadelphia riders of Penn Bus West are simply devoted to their driver -- Gerald Melvin. With an easy smile, ready jokes and ears always perked to catch the latest stories or neighborhood gossip, Melvin -- who is commonly known as Gerry -- is one of the most popular figures in the Penn community. And, according to Associate Treasurer for Cash Management D.L. Wormley, who has been riding the bus for several years, Melvin is also "one of the most important." Gerry has been brightening up the evenings for members of the University community for ten years. He began his five-day-a-week, 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. shift when he left the University's housekeeping division to take over for a retiring bus driver. Melvin had left his previous job as a SEPTA driver after becoming disillusioned with the "demands of the company, the traffic and the repetitive questions of people." He began working for the University after a brief interlude as a hot dog salesperson outside Bennett Hall. He said he was attracted by Penn's "family-like community." Melvin has made driving a bus his way of getting closer to the community. In between navigating the University's congested streets and breaking for hurried students on their way to a late-night study session or party, he is able to "get to know the people, listen to their stories and make ties." And these ties often continue after a passenger's last ride. "Its really nice when students who have graduated come back a year or so later and come over and say hi," Melvin said. In hopes of "getting everyone into the holiday spirit and allowing them a chance to relax after a hard day," Melvin puts much effort into decorating his bus. On Halloween, for example, Melvin decked his bus with a skeleton and cobwebs; he put turkey and pilgrim decals on its windows for Thanksgiving. And for Christmas, Melvin is planning on bringing his garlands and candy canes out of their year-long hibernation. Additionally, music continuously emanates from the bus's speakers. Some of his favorite genres include Caribbean rhythms, classical ballads and rock and roll tunes. Wormley said she feels Melvin's goals have been accomplished. "I remember when I first stepped into a decorated bus," she recalled. "I had had a rough day and I hadn't been in a holiday spirit at all. And all of a sudden I felt a whole lot better and I really got into it." The bus's friendly atmosphere creates a sense of community among the riders, most of whom live near each other. "The bus really allows the neighborhood a chance to come together and catch up with one another as well as plan activities like caroling or get-togethers," said Hannah Poole, the History Department's business administrator. With a typically selfless answer, Melvin explained why he goes beyond his required duties: "People enjoy it and that's what it's all about," he said. But Melvin's enjoyment is not exclusive to his passengers. He recalled with a laugh one Halloween when he covered his face with blood and torn skin. "A girl from abroad who didn't know it was Halloween came in and thought that I had been in an accident," Melvin said.