CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte obtained footage of a fight that occurred on Halloween night IN 2023 between a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus driver and a passenger.
According to CATS, just before 9 p.m. on Oct. 31, bus 2140 was making its way down its normal route on Park Road.
Footage shows a passenger, who seemed upset, approaching the bus operator.
A spokesperson for CATS said the passenger was angry at the bus driver because he almost missed the bus "due to an almost premature departure from the bus stop."
The verbal fight quickly escalated into a heated exchange, with the passenger raising his voice and allegedly making verbal threats toward the driver. The passenger hit the driver several times before the driver fought back.
“That young man was definitely in a threatening situation and needed assistance, immediate assistance,” former bus driver and Black Workers for Justice Organizer Nichel Dunlap-Thompson said. “The video itself was well over three minutes and a lot can happen in three minutes.”
That is when the driver pulled over the bus and contacted the Bus Operations Command Center for help.
The passenger can be seen attempting to open the bus doors before lunging at the driver. The driver appeared to fight back until a supervisor arrived at the scene.
The disruptive passenger eventually left the scene, according to CATS, after a discussion with the supervisor.
NAACP Charlotte Chapter President Rev. Corine Mack said she was also disturbed by the incident.
“Bus operators are on the frontlines every day,” Mack said. “They should be thought about, they should be kept safe, loved, know that they are loved and that is not happening right now.”
That same week, two passengers got into a fight on a CATS bus. One man ended up stabbing the other multiple times. It's another example of violence on public transportation.
“With the rise in crimes and the rise in violence, we have to be at least aware that also affects anyone who rides public transportation,” Mack said.
Dunlap-Thompson has organized several demonstrations to get better protections for bus drivers. She said although drivers do get de-escalation training, it’s not enough to protect them.
“It has not left them with a feeling of resolve," Dunlap-Thompson said. "They do not feel like that is the solution. They feel like there should be more police presence.”
CATS does have security who are responsible for periodic patrols of bus routes. All CATS buses have driver shields, surveillance, and radio systems to call for emergencies.
Dunlap-Thomson said she is tired of seeing bus drivers attacked like this and wants to see more conversations surrounding safety so drivers can feel protected on the job.
“This is part of the reason communications have to continue to take place between the community, as well as operators, the city of Charlotte and CATS,” Dunlap-Thompson said.
CATS provided the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department with access to the video recordings.
CMPD said no arrests were made in connection to the incident.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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