CATS bus drivers say they face constant harassment, and security measures fall short (Axios)
Transit operators say their safety concerns have largely gone unaddressed for years, even before operator Ethan Rivera’s murder, and that’s compelling drivers to leave their jobs.
In the time since Rivera’s murder, the system has boosted security and implemented periodic de-escalation training, CATS CEO John Lewis told Axios. “A $2.20 cent fare is not worth your life,” he says.
Sustain Charlotte Director of Impact and Engagement Meg Fencil rides the number 16 bus every other day from near Tyvola Road to just south of Uptown for her job as director of engagement and impact with the nonprofit Sustain Charlotte.
Fencil describes the mood among riders as anxious in the morning, as passengers wonder if they’ll make it to work on time, then fatigue later in the evening, after a long workday.