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Transit workers urge city action on safety, seniority and service policies at GoRaleigh
Summary
Several GoRaleigh operators and union representatives told council members about safety incidents, alleged contract violations, staffing shortages and operational problems including requests for Juneteenth schedule parity and review of the free‑fare program.
Drivers, supervisors and union leaders told the Raleigh City Council during public comment that safety, staffing and scheduling problems at GoRaleigh and its contractor Rapidev are harming workers and riders.
Several speakers identified themselves as current or long‑time GoRaleigh operators. Michael General, a bus operator, asked the city to operate on a modified schedule for Juneteenth, saying other regional agencies do so and that a change would give employees time to reflect. Jeff Hooks and Natalie Brown, both bus operators, described repeated violations of seniority in assignments and abrupt schedule changes that they said undermine operators’ ability to balance work and family. Brown and others also reported a rise in incidents involving passengers with behavioral health issues, assaults and spitting incidents.
Multiple speakers tied those workforce and safety concerns to systemic problems: James Lymhouse and Clifton Hill (ATU Local 1328 treasurer) cited inadequate staffing, rushed training for new hires, aging vehicles and gates and yard security problems. Hill said a yard gate at Poole has been inoperable for nearly three years and linked a recent trespass into the yard to that inoperability. Speakers asked the city to require Rapidev to repair the gate, provide temporary security and enforce contractual safety provisions.
Speakers referenced the collective bargaining agreement and alleged CBA violations by Rapidev, requesting city oversight. Several asked the council to ensure seniority protections and consistent training, to increase bus and spare‑vehicle inventory for maintenance, and to review the free‑fare policy that some operators said encourages long round‑trips by non‑commuting riders and contributes to unsafe conditions.
No council action or vote occurred during public comment; operators said they will provide written follow‑up and petitions to the council.
