MARTA: All C-TRAN Workers Will Be Laid Off

By Jonathan Shapiro

Atlanta, GA – C-TRAN, Clayton County's public transportation system, is set to shut down March 31st. Today, C-TRAN employees got word who would be absorbed into MARTA and who would be laid off.

The news is grim. All 70 C-TRAN jobs are being terminated. This doesn't include the 17 employees that were already transferred to MARTA. The 70 include managers, bus drivers, mechanics, and office staff.

Gary Frank drives the 503 line and received his pink slip today.

"I'm saddened that Clayton county has not made the proper decision in trying to keep it in operation until they could come up with more money," said Frank. "It's devastating to me, it's devastating to a lot of my coworkers."

Prior to today, many workers were still hanging onto hope that the bus system wouldn't be shut down. But the reality now is clear, says Nichelle Phillips. She drives the paratransit lines and puts the blames squarely on the shoulders of the county commission.

"Commissioners don't even blink an eye when it comes to people coming before them, expressing how they're not going to be able to get to their jobs without this system," said Phillips.

Phillips did single out one commissioner, Eldrin Bell, who she says has worked tirelessly to save C-TRAN. Phillips went on to add that the vast majority of passengers have told her they're open to fare hikes and reduced service, whatever it took to save the local service.

"We're just numb," said Benita West, who represent all C-TRAN workers for Amalagameted Transit Union Local 732. "Georgia has never experienced this. All we can do is fight until the end."

No county commissioners could be reached for this story. West says C-TRAN workers will protest the layoffs at the state capitol later this month.