The city of Atlanta grapples with a tragedy borne out of a mere $2.50 bus fare, after MARTA bus driver Leroy Ramos, 47, was fatally shot on Friday at Decatur Station. A husband and father, Ramos had recently made the move from New York to Atlanta, beginning his job with MARTA in October. In the wake of this brutal act, loved ones, co-workers, and union members gathered to honor the dedicated provider who leaves behind a grieving family, including two daughters, and a son.
During a Sunday event, a balloon release was held at the same station where Ramos' life abruptly ended. "We wanted to show solidarity. We wanted to show our condolences to the family," said Britt Dunams, the president of ATU 732, in a statement obtained by Fox 5. Monique Ramos, Leroy's wife and high school sweetheart, shared, "Leroy had a big heart. We’re gonna stand united as a family for him," she told Fox 5. According to the police, two juvenile suspects connected to the incident have been apprehended, while authorities continue the search for the third accomplice.
Fellow MARTA employees are now voicing their concerns over safety in what has become an all too common narrative for public transit workers. "Each and every day, I’ve been getting phone calls and messages stating that they feel unsafe," conveyed Dunams, who advocates for stronger protections such as new state laws and police presence on 'high-risk' routes, in protection of both drivers and passengers. The MARTA spokesperson responded to these concerns highlighting the arrest of two suspects and detailing MARTA's strict de-escalation policy intended to protect its operators. "Our frontline workers are the backbone of this organization and MARTA leadership and police will continue working with ATU Local 732 to protect and support our operators," the spokesperson stated in a report by Fox 5.
Ramos' family described him as not only a loving family man and cook but also a beacon of laughter and dedication, his life was tragically cut short during the pursuit of a better quality of life for himself and his loved ones. "He was a great husband, he was a great man. He just wanted to be a provider, come home," sister-in-law Tavisha conveyed in an interview with Atlanta News First. To aid the family in these distressing times, a GoFundMe has been established, not only to cover funeral costs but also to contribute to their cause against gun violence. Dunams, echoing the distress of the union, told Atlanta News First, "I'm asking MARTA to kind of step up. Make this a priority so that safety... our operators, our employees feel safe."
