When I came to work for MARTA in 1993 as a bus operator, it was just as I expected. It was a career that I knew would allow me to take care of my family and would be fulfilling.
At that time, MARTA bus operators were respected and admired. The public knew we were paid a decent salary, and the job was one that many wished they had. Everyone said “good morning” when they got on the bus and “goodbye” when they exited. Parents trusted operators to care for their children, knowing we would get them to their destination safely. Many riders would often bring us coffee, doughnuts and other little things to show their appreciation for the job we were doing. In my opinion, the job was much easier at that time than it is now.
Things have changed over the years. In the public’s eyes, the job has lost its luster, even all the way to top levels of our local government. Many politicians feel that we make too much money for what we do. Some people say to us now, “You’re just a bus driver.” Meanwhile, their life is in our hands while they are on the bus.
Operators feel that from a management perspective, we are not respected as we’ve received no pay raise. We’ve been sitting at our pay level for many years. Management’s expectations have increased while the job has become more complicated with advances in technology.
As operators, we do much more than just drive the bus. On one trip to and from the station, we have to make sure that passengers pay the fare, fold up strollers, turn down their music, stop eating food, take their feet off the chairs. Drivers are required to make stop announcements, even though there is an automated system on board that is programmed to do that. And we are constantly bombarded with questions regarding directions, as well as many other things that riders have on their minds.
This is all happening while we drive a 40-foot bus in traffic. We have to be just as concerned with what’s going on outside the bus as what’s going on inside.
To add a new wrinkle to our already highly stressed jobs, operators have been facing more violence lately.
Just in the past few weeks some drivers have been robbed at gunpoint, punched, stabbed and severely beaten. I have been a victim of violence, too. About a year-and-a-half ago, a man spit in my face because he didn’t want to pay his fare. I am still being tested for diseases that I could’ve received from him. To add insult to injury, all the man was required to do by our legal system was write a letter of apology to me. I often see him out on the streets, even attempting to ride my bus again.
Frankly, I think managers have heard our cry for help when it comes to safety. Yes, they’ve stepped up patrols on the bus by having a police officer ride with us. Imagine that. They’ve also made strides to communicate with us when we have an emergency. We would like to see more safety measures in place.
The key question is, “Why the violence?”
For one thing, our passengers have changed over the years. They’re younger. They’ve become more aggressive and have a “me-first” attitude. It used to be that the younger generation would show chivalry by letting older folks board the bus first. That rarely happens now. Men used to give up their seats for older people and ladies with babies. That no longer happens without an announcement instructing them to do so.
Another reason for the violence is the economy. Many people are envious that we have a good job. They take their frustrations out on the first person they see in the morning, and that’s usually us, the bus drivers.
Granted, some drivers are not as courteous as we all used to be. The new crop of drivers is younger, and their patience level is not where it was when I joined MARTA. Despite that, we all try to do our jobs the best we can, given all that it entails.
Even though the perception of a bus operator has changed over the years, I still consider it a rewarding career. It has allowed me to provide for my family and live a life that has been comfortable. So the next time you see a bus operator, say to yourself, “Their job is truly an important one,” and not, “ They’re just a bus driver.”
Because we’re not. We are more than that, and we would like to be treated with the same respect you would treat any other public servant.
While we are in that driver’s seat, we should be, in your eyes, the most important person to you at that time because your life is in our hands.
About the Author
