Ernest Toney has driven for the Farmville Area Bus (FAB) for the last five years after his retirement from a 27-year long stint working in Piedmont Regional Jail. Similar to his current job, Toney worked with were college-aged inmates at the jail and said there were key differences between those he met inside versus the kids he drives now.
“For 27 years I only heard the excuses, the reasons why it was someone else’s fault, all the reasons 'why I didn’t succeed,'” said Toney. “And I get this job, and I hear all these kids from all different backgrounds with the same common goal, initially it was therapeutic to hear people of this age group with goals and a game plan.”
Working in the Piedmont Regional Jail, Toney had several experiences that made him nervous about the future with the current generation giving excuse after excuse. He told one story of when he fought another inmate, after the inmate attacked him.
At this time, Toney was only an officer in the jail and was working transport at the time when coming into the office. He said there was a young man yelling and cursing from within the holding cell at a female officer doing paperwork. When Toney told the young man to stop, he was threatened and told to open up the gate.
“I was young and gung ho, thought he wouldn’t do it, so I said, 'Okay buddy,' and I opened the door when he punched me,” admitted Toney.
From there a fight ensued in which Toney ended up getting suspended for a week without pay. Allowed to keep his job, he worked his way up from officer to a major.
Toney said he feels a special sympathy for the students he drives around, studying and moving up through the ranks within the jail meant a lot of sleepless nights.
“It’s imperative every college student has a support system,” said Toney. “They won’t fail, but it will be a lot harder.”
Toney and his wife Trish were high school sweethearts, starting as friends first and then later becoming sweethearts after Toney came home from school. She used to tell him during his summer that her brother, Toney's friend, wasn’t home. Toney would tell her that he was there for her instead.
“She kissed me, and all of the time I hadn’t looked at her in a romantic way it was like the shudder came off,” said Toney. “I found myself finding any excuse I could to go and see herself that summer.”
Toney and Trish have four sons: Ernest, Brian, Brandon and Trevor. They’ve been together since 1981 and have been taking care of children for over 30 years. Trish works within the Department of Social Service and has six more years before retirement.
“I always tell students I’m proud of them," said Toney. "I don’t even know you and I’m proud of you."
Ernest Toney, a Farmville Area Bus driver, rides through town as he shares his advice and stories with its riders.
Ernest Toney, a Farmville Area Bus driver, rides through town as he shares his advice and stories with its riders.
