For nearly 26 years, Sharonda Washington has been helping people get where they need to go. But ask her what has kept her at Jaunt all these years, and her answer is simple.
“It’s always the passengers,” she says. “They’re what keep me coming back.”
Sharonda joined Jaunt in October 2000. What began as a job soon became something much more meaningful. Day after day, year after year, she found herself building relationships with the people she served.
“When you see the same riders every day, they become part of your life,” Sharonda explains. “Whether you realize it or not, they’re a part of your everyday life.”
Over the years, those relationships have become one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Riders share stories about their lives, their families, their challenges, and their successes. Many look forward to seeing familiar faces and having conversations during their trips.
“You meet a lot of interesting people,” she says. “You hear their stories, and you learn what Jaunt means to them. A lot of people tell us that without Jaunt, they wouldn’t be able to do the things they need to do.”
But Sharonda is quick to point out that the relationship goes both ways.
“I always tell them that without them, there wouldn’t be us either.”
One rider, in particular, left a lasting impression.
One longtime rider, in particular, made a lifelong impression on her. What began as a daily ride eventually grew into a meaningful friendship built through years of conversation and connection.
“She left a lifelong impression on me,” Sharonda recalls. “Nobody could have ever told me when I first met her that she would have such an impact on my life.”
Experiences like that have shaped the way Sharonda views her role.
“This job isn’t always about the money,” she says. “It’s about people. It’s about the little things that mean a lot to someone. When you can help make a difference in somebody’s day, that makes you feel good.”
The support she has received from her coworkers has also played an important role in her journey. Through life’s challenges, including her own battle with breast cancer, Sharonda says her Jaunt family stood beside her every step of the way.
“My coworkers supported me,” she says. “The people here care about each other.”
Today, Sharonda continues to experience the impact of those relationships throughout the community. Riders recognize her in stores, greet her when she’s out running errands, and proudly introduce her as their Jaunt driver.
Those moments remind her that transportation is about more than simply getting from one place to another.
It’s about connection.
It’s about trust.
And it’s about people caring for one another.
After nearly 26 years behind the wheel, Sharonda still looks forward to coming to work each day.
“The passengers keep me coming back,” she says. “I really enjoy the people.”
For Sharonda, that’s what Jaunt has always been about: helping people stay connected to their communities, their independence, and each other.
