Turning the big wheel is not what it used to be
bus drivers are a lot more than just drivers
these days Jose Jimenez has drunks and punks to
worry about bad traffic bad kids and bad adults
you recognize a person that's going to give you
a problem as soon as they step on the bus
and you're always on the lookout for them.
Now drivers must also look outside the bus for
gunmen taking pot shots at them.
Yesterday, there were two buses hit.
Here in northwest Dallas, a driver was slightly injured.
Here in East Dallas, a passenger was killed.
The murder of a passenger has everyone that
rides these buses a little edgy tonight,
especially folks with small children.
Gloria Sharp worries every time she rides Dart,
worries about her four-year-old's safety.
Well, it's real scary, because this is my only
means of transportation.
And I work every day, and I pick her up from
the Y, and we live in a dangerous neighborhood already.
So I'd like for it to be safer to ride the bus.
Now Mullins believes everyone should feel safe
on any bus system, especially DART.
He's one of nearly 30 transit officers hired to
make sure DART is safe for everyone.
These guys want folks to think smart when they ride.
If they're afraid, I would suggest they sit up
close to the bus driver and if there's any
problem, to tell the bus driver about the
problem and he in turn can notify us.
Transit police say one drive-by shooting can
frighten many folks away from the bus system forever.
They hope their presence will bring many folks
back to DART again.