CATS officials address safety concerns after deadly road rage shooting that killed bus driver

CHARLOTTE — CATS officials released data on the safety of bus operators in its fleet following the senseless killing of one of its drivers.

The city transit system said its team is working with the SMART labor union to come up with solutions and address safety concerns.

This comes after co-workers and loved ones of Ethan Rivera gathered Feb. 18 at the scene of the road rage shooting that took his life, asking for more safety measures on CATS buses.

As the crowd grew, co-workers and friends were seen holding signs and wearing sweatshirts that said “I am Ethan,” as they spoke out about their worries for their own safety.

Rivera was killed on Feb. 11.

Hasson Trent, who has worked for CATS for 15 years, said drivers are often the target of verbal and physical abuse.

“That could have been me, left home and never went back,” said Trent.

Workers like Trent said they are worried Rivera’s death won’t be the last if the city doesn’t act soon.

“What’s it going to take? Four, five, six, seven people to die? We’re not army members; we’re in the transportation business,” said Trent.

CATS workers are asking for additional officers at the transit center in uptown and along their routes.

They are also demanding bulletproof barriers and working phones on every bus.

Assaults on CATS operators

Over the past five years, there have been 57 operator assaults, which is 0.09 operator assaults per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled, CATS stated in a news release Friday.

Those assaults included two operator shootings; a domestic violence shooting on CATS property, and the road rage incident that resulted in Rivera’s death.

CATS Safety Protocol

This list provided by CATS includes general safety protocol. This list does not include sensitive procedures vital to the safe policing of the transit system.

• Driver barriers are installed all buses.
• All operators have access to various radio systems. Most recently, CATS conducted an audit of the entire bus fleet and replaced 11 defective radios.
• Each CATS bus has real time GPS tracking that provides the Bus Operations Control Center (BOCC) with exact vehicle location.
• Each bus is equipped with a video surveillance system, including audio, from multiple angles.
• Operators are trained in basic, intermediate, and advanced emergency procedures.
• All operators are trained to contact the BOCC in emergency situations.

“In order to achieve our shared goal, we all must treat each other with respect, patience and basic human decency. Let it be known that violence, crime, and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated by CATS or our law enforcement partners,” CATS officials said in a news release. “As we at CATS continue to mourn this tragedy, we remain steadfast with our commitment to safety. I ask all riders, operators and community members to join us in this responsibility we have to each other.”

Nichel Dunlap Thompson is a former CATS employee, but she left to work for the Southern Workers Assembly to advocate full time for employees’ safety.

“We need to promote the necessary changes so that we can protect the lives we have left that are performing these jobs,” said Thompson.

Even people who don’t sit behind the wheel want to see change.

Rivera’s friend Lenara Snell said Rivera’s death should be a wake-up call for the city, so employees can do their job without fear.

“I still can’t accept it. It’s not real for me. I can’t … seeing him on T-shirts, it’s not right. It will never be OK,” Snell said.

The crowd released balloons in Rivera’s memory, chanting his nickname “Rico Suave.”

CATS told Channel 9 that 176 people did not turn up for work on Feb. 18, including those out on sick leave and those out in protest.

Earlier in the week, the CATS CEO said the city buses do have barriers, but that they are not bulletproof.

CATS also announced retention bonuses for its employees to keep them on staff amid safety concerns.

(WATCH BELOW: Union workers at Charlotte Douglas protest as negotiations with American Airlines stall)

Union workers at Charlotte Douglas protest as negotiations with American Airlines stall Union workers at Charlotte Douglas protest as negotiations with American Airlines stall

©2022 Cox Media Group