ORRINGTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Parents understand the importance of having someone they can trust behind the wheel of a school bus. 90-year-old Gerald "Red" Briggs of Orrington has been trusted with his bus routes since he first started driving school buses in 1946. Earning a title that will be hard to break.
Briggs was recognized this year by the Maine Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association as the oldest transit bus driver in North America. He retired from teaching in 1983, but quickly decided that he needed to do something with his free time. That's when he decided to work for Cyr Bus Lines filling in when needed.
"This is something that I can do and feel that I'm doing something for people," said Briggs.
He often times fills in at RSU 22 in Hampden where Melanie Vanaken is in charge of scheduling. She's never surprised by Brigg's willingness to fill a hole in her calendar. It was the confirmation of his age that really threw her for a loop.
"We actually had his 90-year-old birthday last February and I thought oh my gosh he actually is 90," said Vanaken.
After some convincing from his family, Briggs has decided to retire for good from driving bus after he celebrates his 91st birthday in February.
