Here at Transdev, nothing is more important than safety. It’s rooted in our Safety First commitment and runs through all our operations best practices. This commitment to safety was recognized in a big way as Al Burns, Safety Manager at Louisiana State University (LSU) location, was named Lytx Coach of the Year, and Donjaray Baker, Operator, was honored as the second-place winner of the Lytx Driver of the Year awards. Their dedication to safety, training, and leadership has set new standards for excellence in safety.
Celebrating Al Burns, Lytx Coach of the Year Award Recipient
Al Burns’ journey with Transdev began in 2010 as an operator, and over the years, his passion for safety and training propelled him up the ranks and to locations in Pennsylvania and Louisiana. In 2020, he became a Safety Trainer at The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) in Allentown, PA, and in 2021, he took on the role of Safety Manager at LANTA. In 2025, he brought his safety expertise to Transdev’s LSU location where he serves as Safety Manager. Throughout his career, Al has championed a culture of safety, believing that accidents can be prevented through proper and consistent training.
Using Lytx technology, Al has worked tirelessly to train and coach both operators and mechanics, reinforcing safe driving habits and instilling a sense of accountability. His efforts yielded impressive results at LANTA:
- Lytx Coach Effectiveness Score improved from below 75% to 84% between September and December in 2024.
- His 30-day Lytx score dropped from 1,000 to 133 in January 2025, marking a significant reduction in incidents.
- Overall safety incidents at LANTA have noticeably declined.
Al’s leadership is defined by empathy, trust, and collaboration. He shares responsibilities with his team, ensuring they can carry forward the safety coaching program even after his recent departure to LSU. His ability to connect with employees on a deeper level, helping them understand not just the ‘what’ but the ‘why’ of safety, has transformed workplace culture and how operators perceive Lytx.
“This is one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had. It not only shines a light on a lot of the hard work that goes into what we do as coaches, but also gives me an opportunity to incorporate everybody else, to tell that it’s a success if everyone is working on the same goal…(Lytx) does work and provides an opportunity to create a safe work environment and makes you a better operator”. -Al Burns, Lytx Coach of the Year
Al’s advice to safety managers and trainers is to be flexible and knowledgeable about your goals. He explained, sometimes, reaching employees requires looking beyond the surface-levels issues to truly connect with them in a way they understand.
Al’s motivation for safety is simple: “To have a Perfect Safety Day and ensure everyone gets home safely in one piece.”
Celebrating Donjaray Baker: Lytx Driver of the Year
Joining Transdev in 2019, Donjaray Baker, Operator for the PACE paratransit contract, quickly established herself as a standout leader, trainer, and operator. Donjaray’s manager, Muhammad Martinez says. “ She has recognized over the years how the location has improved. And airing that understanding of the location with her exceptional performance like maintaining her CDL, never having drive cam events, and no preventable accidents on her record, made Donjaray stand out as a top candidate for this nomination.” Martinez also credits her dedication to helping people as a standout reason to nominate her for such a prestigious acknowledgement, stating “She’s a very dedicated person and wants the best not just for the company, but also for everyone around her. She volunteers often for her child’s school and is known for uplifting her coworkers and serves as an inspiration to us all.” Beyond her skills on the road, she has served as a Road Supervisor and is a key member of her location’s Safety Solutions Task Force.
She takes a holistic approach to safety, ensuring that everyone around her benefits from improved practices. Some of her helpful contributions include:
- Introducing new operator recognition methods based on individual preferences
- Implementing yard safety safeguards to prevent backing accidents
- Encouraging a culture of support and mentorship among fellow operators
Her dedication extends beyond Transdev, as she actively volunteers at her child’s school and applies her faith-driven principles to her work, always striving to uplift those around her.
A Well-Deserved Honor
The Lytx Coach and Driver of the Year Awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond in promoting a culture of safety, leadership, and continuous improvement. Both Al Burns and Donjaray Baker embody the very best of what Transdev offers, and their recognition is a demonstration of their unwavering commitment to safety excellence. Their leadership and dedication continue to inspire their colleagues, fostering a safer and stronger workforce.
Please join us in congratulating Al and Donjaray on this well-deserved recognition!
