- Alondra Morales

Alondra Morales is a Buffloanian, a proud Puerto Rican, a volunteer, a mother, a friend, and a leader. Her service as a city bus driver reflects national employment trends as 17.0% of city bus drivers are Hispanic or Latino. The most common foreign language among city bus drivers is Spanish at 25.0%.

Alondra’s service in public transit is an important element in the national advancement of Latinos. In 2022, 27% of Latinos relied on public transit more frequently compared to 14% of whites, and 12% of Latinos are less likely to have access to a car compared to 6.5% of whites per UnidosUS.org. Lack of access to college campuses via public transit is a barrier for Latino students and in some cases leads to abandoning pursuing education.

According to the American Public Transit Association, “Transit riders took 7.1 billion trips on public transportation in 2023, a 16 percent increase over 2022”. The Northeast relies on public transit more than other regions and women, arguably women workers, depend on it the most.

Imagine you're a little girl, waiting for the bus, nervous. You speak Spanish and the bus or “la guagua” is your way of accessing the world. The bus, when it comes, and your experience on it, can be a deal breaker for the entire course of your day. You see “la guagua” coming down the street, the doors open and you are greeted in your native language and with dignity by the lovely Alondra Morales. 

That happened, and I don't need to ask Alondra if it did. At certain points, I was that little girl waiting for the bus with my Titi. The sense of wonderment that a Latina was driving, left impressions and a strong sense of pride in the populations of Bufflonians Alondra transported.

Affirming others by service is something Alondra is well versed in. Her service extends outside of the driver's seat into the community. Her own words reflect her passion for her causes.

“A smile, a kind word, or simply offering your time can hold immense value. To embody and pass on these values, I volunteer with my daughter’s Girl Scouts troop as a co-leader, helping to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.” As a Girl Scout troop co-leader, Alondra shapes the world of Girl Scouts locally and personalizes their mission with her identities and lived experience. All of the organizations Alondra supports are stronger because of her involvement.

Surrounding herself with like-minded and service-oriented women, one of her role models is Alicia Montalvo. Alondra shares “Alicia has always been an inspiration to me and continues to be a mentor. As a business owner and a public service employee, she continues to promote and inspire me to ask myself the question: How far can I reach? How should I maneuver around this obstacle?”

Alondra’s impact on the community is measured in invisible moments. In these moments her presence, her unique identity, love for giving of herself and her time, have uplifted spirits.

Being a leader is an investment in your community. It stems from deliberate actions that withstand the change and unique challenges of being a Latina, to contribute to a culture whereas Alondra puts it “the idea that helping others was a sort of superpower.”

If you are looking for your purpose, if you are seeking new challenges, and or greater fulfillment in life, you may want to consider walking some of the paths Alondra has. And some of those paths include, very seriously, clutching the steering wheel and pressing the gas to give those behind you, access, to life's most important services and the stream of commerce.