DALLAS (August 6, 2025) — In a historic first for the motorcoach industry, veteran Greyhound bus operator Crawford Lassiter has been named the recipient of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2025 International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA).

Lassiter (middle), poses with regional vice president Matt Maglio (left) and chief operations officer Rodney Surber (right), after being presented with the 2024 Pennsylvania Bus Association “Driver of Distinction” Award in Mannheim, Penn., earlier this year.

Lassiter is the first-ever motorcoach driver to win the award, which has since its 2015 inception only been given to drivers from the trucking industry — making this a groundbreaking moment for Greyhound and the broader intercity bus sector. Lassiter, who has operated intercity buses since 1979 with over 2.5 million accident-free miles, was also recognized earlier this year with the 2024 'Driver of Distinction' award from the Pennsylvania Bus Association.

"Throughout my 45 years as a driver, my priorities have always been the same: show up on time with a good attitude, treat people with kindness and respect, and get every passenger where they need to go safely,” said Lassiter. “To be recognized like this after all these years means a lot, and I hope it shines a light on all the other Greyhound bus drivers across the country, who I know are just as committed to safety and quality customer service.”  

“This award is not just a well-deserved recognition of an outstanding veteran Greyhound driver — it’s a milestone that reflects the transformation of Greyhound as a whole and the evolution of the intercity bus industry,” said Rodney Surber, chief operations officer at Greyhound. “Our team, from every motorcoach operator on the road to the mechanics and technicians behind the scenes, is deeply committed to raising the bar on safety, reliability, and customer experience. Being the first bus company to receive this prestigious award validates the progress we’ve made as a transformed brand and underscores our ongoing mission to lead the industry into a safe and innovative future.”

The CVSA IDEA award recognizes commercial drivers who go above and beyond in their commitment to public safety and leadership on the road. Lassiter was selected based on his impeccable safety record, decades of experience, and mentorship of new Greyhound drivers across the country.

 

Lassiter was profiled earlier this year on 6abc WPVI-TV Philadelphia for his decades of service. (Source: WPVI-TV)

“On behalf of the Alliance, I’d like to congratulate Mr. Lassiter for his unwavering commitment to roadway safety, his impressive expertise and exceptional leadership as a safety instructor, and for always setting an outstanding example for others to follow,” said CVSA President Capt. John Hahn with the Colorado State Patrol. 

Greyhound, a Flix North America brand, is the largest intercity bus network in North America, serving more than 1,600 destinations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This award marks the latest milestone in the brand’s transformation under Flix ownership: since acquiring Greyhound in 2021, Flix has introduced a modernized fleet, a data-driven technology platform, and a regionally empowered operating model — driving measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, and customer experience.

The award will be formally presented by CVSA in Denver later this year.