Winnipeg bus driver gives his shoes to man in need
Some Winnipeg Transit riders were stunned and amazed today to see their driver giving the shoes off his feet to a man who appeared to be homeless.
The bus had entered downtown from the Unicity area on Tuesday morning when the male driver pulled over near Portage Avenue and Main Street, says passenger Denise Campbell.
"Suddenly the bus driver yelled, 'Hey buddy!' and he got off the bus and went up to a man that was basically dressed in fairly warm-looking clothes … he looked like he was in need," Campbell told CBC News.
"I didn't realize why he was talking to him until all of a sudden, the bus driver took his shoes off," she recalled.
"I looked down and realized the man had no shoes on, and it was really cold this morning."
The temperature in downtown Winnipeg was between 5 and 7 C on Tuesday morning, according to Environment Canada.
Campbell said she and other passengers on the bus were left speechless by the driver's act of kindness.
When another passenger asked the driver why he did what he did, he replied, "I couldn't stand seeing someone walking barefoot in this temperature like this," according to Campbell.
"You always hear, 'I'll give you the shirt off my back.' This man took his shoes off, gave them to a man that needed them, got back on the bus and continued to drive the bus," she said.
"It's unbelievable. It's amazing."
Winnipeg Transit director Dave Wardrop issued a statement on Tuesday commending the generous driver, who was not identified.
"We have all been struck by the generosity and kindness of this Winnipeg Transit bus operator," Wardrop said in the statement.
"It serves as a reminder of the compassion and commitment demonstrated by City of Winnipeg employees throughout the community on a daily basis."
Campbell said hopes she will see the same bus driver on Wednesday so she can tell him how kind she thinks he is.
