August 1, 2024
In Saint Paul, Minnesota, heartwarming news of a Metro Transit bus driver’s act of kindness is making headlines.
This past Friday, Jayne Arendt-Verhelst, a Metro Transit bus driver, took going the extra mile for her passengers to a whole new level. She literally offered the shoes off her feet to a passenger in need.
Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Jayne, a 57-year-old bus driver, is well-known among her regular passengers for her cheerful demeanor, thus earning the nickname “the happy driver”.
During a routine stop on West 7th in St. Paul, Jayne welcomed an unhoused woman onto her bus who seemed in desperate need of help, particularly, she had no shoes. To the surprise of passengers, Jayne responded with compassion, removing her own shoes to give to the woman.
Sarah Seldon, a passenger on the bus, recalls the unexpected gesture: “She said, ‘Wait, hold on,’ and then swiftly took off her shoes and gave them to the woman.”
Sarah, who herself had recently experienced homelessness, recognized the profound impact such an act of kindness could make. “These acts of kindness can ignite a spark of hope, encouraging individuals to seek help,” she reflected.
Moved by her experience, Sarah shared this inspiring story on Reddit, where it quickly went viral. Jayne’s act of kindness garnered widespread appreciation and admiration, not only for herself but also for bus drivers around the world.
Jayne, however, was taken aback by the attention and responded modestly. She now finds her passengers frequently asking with a chuckle, ‘Do you still have your shoes on?’.
Stay tuned for the news video below.
