MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The longest serving bus operator at Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) was celebrated by his team members, the Memphis City Council, and the Mayor’s office on his retirement after serving the community for 53 years.
Melvin Deener turned in his keys Friday after driving 1.5 million miles and safely transporting more than 4 million passengers during his long career with MATA.
He started with MATA in Feb. 1972 and was honored Friday, Jan. 16 with a retirement celebration. During the celebration he received a proclamation from Memphis City Council as well as the Mayor’s Office, marking a career defined by dedication and community connection.
Deener, a lifelong Shelby County resident, says the people he served were always the best part of the job.
Members of his family also attended the celebration as he was honored for moving Memphis…