A titan of transportation
Bus driver has helped Simi Valley residents get around for 20 years
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers ALL ABOARD- Paul Rosenfeld sits behind one of the many municipal buses he's operated during his career with the city of Simi Valley, a career that began in 1987.

Paul Rosenfeld's coworkers sometimes like to call him "Grumpy."

Despite having a personality that suggests quite the opposite, the 45yearold bus driver acquired the nickname soon after starting his career with Simi Valley Transit.

Fellow workers like supervisor Joyce Smith said they enjoy joking with him- which is why they call Rosenfeld by the name of his favorite Disney character.

While the real Grumpy is known for his unwillingness to cooperate, Rosenfeld is known by city transit officials as one of the most dependable people in the business.

"Paul has always been willing to assist in any way possible," Smith said. "Sometimes he'll even reschedule his own personal plans when we need help. He's just a good guy, and a pleasure to work with."

Rosenfeld, who became a full-time transit coach operator with Simi Valley Transit in January 1987, was recognized by the City Council last week for 20 years of dedicated service to the city of Simi Valley.

He said he doesn't feel any different since receiving the recognition, but he admits he enjoys the benefits that come with seniority, like having first pick of available transit routes.

"It's nice to have a choice, but I've always preferred morning (routes) anyway, because I'm a morning person," Rosenfeld said.

During his tenure, he's driven all of Simi Valley's fixed bus routes, operated Dial-a-Ride and helped in the transit headquarters office. For the last two years, his regular route has been driving the "A" bus, circling the city during the early morning hours.

"The passengers are very familiar with him, and they compliment him all the time," Smith said.

Rosenfeld said that after all these years, with the obvious growth in population and changes to the streets and routes, the passengers are the most consistent thing about his job.

The people in Simi Valley are what sets the local transit apart from transit agencies in other cities, he said.

"The people have not changed," Rosenfeld said. "They're always nice."

Rosenfeld was born in Los Angeles and lived in the San Fernando Valley until he graduated from Reseda High School. He moved to Simi at the age of 18, where he eventually married Sue- now his wife of 25 years. The couple has two daughters, 24yearold Rebecca and 22year-old Megan, both born and raised in Simi Valley.

Before working for Simi Valley Transit, Rosenfeld operated a school bus and a charter bus, the latter allowing him to travel with tour groups to places like Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and San Francisco.

He ultimately chose to apply for a position with Simi Valley Transit so he could stay close to home while his daughters were still young.

Although his daughters are now old enough to be on their own, Rosenfeld has no plans to leave his current post. He's made friends with all the other drivers and said he's happy to be part of a tightknit community.

Before and after every shift, Rosenfeld enjoys telling stories and having a couple of laughs with other drivers at the transit headquarters.

Vince Cayzer, a transit coach operator who's worked with Rosenfeld for nearly 10 years, said the greatest thing about his mornings is to hear Rosenfeld laugh.

"Once he starts laughing, he turns red and he can't stop," Cayzer said. "You just can't leave here without feeling good. We always have some kind of joke in the mornings."