Westport to retiring bus driver: "Thanks for the lift, Mrs. V!"

By Ted Hayes

She drove thousands of Westport students safely back and forth to school for decades. Thursday night, the community said “Thank you” to Jane Vieira.

Vieira, who retired from Amaral’s Bus in June after more than 50 years behind the wheel, had no idea why she’d been asked to attend Thursday’s school committee meeting. But the district’s transportation and business manager, Michelle Rapoza, let the cat out of the bag quickly:

“Thank you for your kindness, thank you for your attention,” she said to Vieira, who sat a few rows back from the stage with family. “Your dedication has been a gift to this community. You have provided more than transportation — you have provided safety, comfort, stability, and love to thousands of children.”

Like countless other families, Rapoza’s has