In his first remarks since the fatal shooting of one of his bus drivers last week, MARTA’s general manager and CEO said the transit agency is devastated.
“Our frontline workers are the backbone of this organization,” Collie Greenwood said Wednesday.
Leroy Ramos, 47, had worked for MARTA for only a few months, starting in October. But Greenwood said the father of three had already made an impression on coworkers and “established himself as a friend.”
“We are mourning and saddened by this unprecedented tragedy,” he said in a video.
Ramos was killed at the Decatur bus station on Swanton Way around 6:30 p.m. Friday. MARTA has said he was shot during a dispute over the $2.50 fare.
A bystander was also injured in the shooting when a bullet ricocheted and was taken to a hospital with a “superficial wound,” a MARTA spokesperson said.
MARTA police arrested two suspects Friday, and a third person, the alleged shooter, surrendered to police Monday night. All three are juveniles and have been charged with murder. Their names and ages have not been released.
A video posted to social media shows the argument took place off the bus for at least 90 seconds before the shooting. A man can be heard saying he was spat on. MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher could not confirm if police believe the suspects spit on Ramos due to the ongoing investigation.
It’s unclear if Ramos requested MARTA police or other law enforcement assistance before the shooting.
Drivers have a direct line on every bus to contact MARTA police, Fisher said.
Greenwood said the video of the shooting was “horrific” and “demonstrates we all have more work to do” to ensure drivers’ and riders’ safety on the transit system.
“It’s not a secret there’s been an uptick in violence toward transit operators,” he said. “Once routine interactions often escalate into crimes. This was the case on Friday.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also condemned the attack.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the MARTA bus driver,” Dickens said in a statement. “This senseless act highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence, and we must work together to address it.”
The Amalgamated Transit Union, a national labor union that represents MARTA drivers and other transit workers across the United States and Canada, has called for increased safety measures to keep drivers safe.
“Our members should be able to go to work and come home safely each day,” Local 732 President Britt Dunams said in a statement. “It is time for MARTA to ensure our members and riders are safe on our buses, our rail, at bus stops and at transit centers.”
Greenwood said MARTA welcomed suggestions from the transit union leadership.
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