Silver Spring, MD - Amalgamated Transit Union International President John Costa released the following statement to mark Transit Equity Day and Rosa Parks' birthday.
“Public transportation is not just a service. It is a fundamental right that should be accessible, safe, and equitable for all. The legacy of Rosa Parks, who courageously stood up against racial injustice by refusing to surrender her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, resonates today more than ever. Her act of defiance in 1955 helped ignite a movement for civil rights that sought to ensure all people could live with dignity, free from discrimination and violence. Rosa Parks, along with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., believed that every person has the right to a good life—one that includes not only access to public transportation but also to safe housing, quality education, the right to vote, fair employment, and freedom from harm. These ideals form the foundation of the ongoing fight for social justice.
“Today, 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. Transportation is integral to our daily lives, yet it should never come at the cost of someone's well-being or safety. Unfortunately, transit workers across the globe continue to face violence while simply doing their jobs. 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, Washington, we lost Brother Shawn Yim, who was tragically stabbed to death while working his shift. Just weeks later, in Atlanta, Georgia, our Brother Leroy Ramos was senselessly shot and killed over a $2.50 fare. These acts of violence are not isolated incidents—they reflect a systemic issue of safety within the transit industry, one that puts both operators and passengers at risk.
“This Transit Equity Day, we call for action to address the safety of those who ensure our communities are connected. Transit workers, like every worker, deserve to go home safely at the end of their shifts. The right to safe and equitable public transportation should extend beyond just access. It must also ensure that those who provide the service are protected from harm. The struggle for transit equity is incomplete if those who serve us are not treated with the respect and safety they deserve.
“We honor the memory of Brother Yim and Brother Ramos and stand in solidarity with all workers who risk their lives to keep our transit systems running. We must work together to make transit safe for everyone and guarantee that public transportation remains a civil right for all.”