Antonio Rivera operates with a Dart Short Haul contract because it keeps him close to home.  Antonio and his wife Felicita have two boys: Anthony (18 years old) and Joshua (9).  “I worked over-the-road for many years,” Antonio says, “and I lost many years with my little one.  I don’t want to do that anymore.  I’m very tied to my kids.  I’d do anything for them.”

With Short Haul, Antonio never has to worry about being there for his family.  He is home every night.  “Dart gives me what I need to be at home, be a father, be a provider,” he says.  “What I like most about Dart is the mutual respect.  They don’t make me feel like an employee.  And they always take the time to hear what I say.  I have a beautiful relationship here.  When you love what you’re doing, you feel good.”

Antonio first got behind the wheel of a truck at 18 in his hometown, Mayagüez in Puerto Rico.  “When you drive a truck in Puerto Rico, there are a lot of things you have to do for survival,” Antonio says.  “You have to be handy because if you break down you have to be able to fix it quickly.”

Fixing and maintaining cars is Antonio’s passion.  “It makes me happy,” he says.  “It’s a stress relief.”  His current project is a 1974 Toyota Corolla racecar.  “It’s a little car with a lot of power.  When I finish it I’m going to give it to my son.”

 Owner Operator Stats

Time in industry: 23 years
Truck: 1996 Volvo
Type of Dart contract: Short Haul
Key quote:  “Dart gives me what I need to be at home, be a father, be a provider.”