In addition to his work in dog care, McClure also worked as a delivery driver for FedEx and before that picked up railroad crews in remote places when their shifts had ended.

But in many ways, it’s his experience volunteering in a homeless shelter when he was younger that’s best prepared him for his current work. Like librarians or parks staff, bus drivers require something of a social worker’s skillset, in addition to the basics of driving a bus. On every shift he’s exposed to and communicating directly with the full range of people who live in Seattle.

“You have to be empathetic to be a good bus driver,” he says. “If you’re not, the job will get to you because you may have those people not paying, you may have those people listening to music too loud. It all just comes into play.”

Not only is McClure vulnerable as an individual, but his current route could see cuts as well.

At the beginning of his shift, McClure takes over the No. 60 route on Beacon Hill, near the light rail station. From about 4 p.m. to just after 8 p.m., he guides the bus south to Georgetown, South Park and White Center. He takes a quick break at Westwood Village — about 25 minutes, if the route was on time; less for every minute the bus was behind schedule — and loops back. He then drives north to Capitol Hill before returning to where he began, wishing passengers “have a great day” along the way.