Transit Equity Day 2025: Safety on Public Transportation is a Civil Right
Every year on February 4th, we commemorate Rosa Parks’ birthday and the courageous seat she refused to give up that sparked a movement. The significance of this day led the ATU to help found Transit Equity Day together with a network of labor unions, transit riders, community organizations, and environmental groups to declare that public transportation is a fundamental right that should be accessible, safe, and equitable for all.
This year, in the wake of two of our ATU brothers being killed on the job and the epidemic of violence on our transit systems, our Union is demanding better protection and safety for our members and riders.
“As we reflect on this vision of equality, we mark Transit Equity Day by focusing on an urgent issue that is swept under the rug too often: the safety of transit workers and passengers alike. Unfortunately, transit workers across the globe continue to face violence while simply doing their jobs,” said International President John Costa. “The ATU family has recently experienced profound loss due to violence that tragically ended the lives of two of our brothers on the job. In Seattle, we lost Brother Shawn Yim, who was tragically stabbed to death while working his shift. Just weeks later, in Atlanta, our Brother Leroy Ramos was senselessly shot and killed over a $2.50 fare.”
Locals Celebrate Transit Equity Day
Once again, this year, many of our Locals joined with riders, transit advocates, and community activists to participate in the day of action in communities across North America. In Providence, RI, our Local 618 joined transit riders in an “Access to Opportunity” rally to demand investment in RIPTA to ensure affordable and reliable transit for riders and safe, good union jobs for our members. Our Local 732-Atlanta, GA, and transit allies honored Rosa Parks and celebrated our members who move Atlanta at the West End MARTA Station.
“The struggle for transit equity is incomplete if those who serve us are not treated with the respect and safety they deserve,” Costa said. “We must work together to make transit safe for everyone and guarantee that public transportation remains a civil right for all.”
