Nationwide — Coy Dumas, Jr., a 71-year-old MARTA bus driver in Atlanta, Georgia who is well-loved in the community, is being honored for having served his community for 50 years.
In all those years, he has never met an accident, except for one minor accident in the late 1970s. He was not at fault when a truck driver hit the side of his bus and no passengers were injured as well.
“Anyone who’s driven a bus can tell you it is hard work. Mr. Dumas does it with a smile and a sense of pride that makes his customers and all who cross his path feel uplifted and inspired,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said, according to 11Alive.
Aside from being MARTA’s most veteran bus driver, he is also a leader and a mentor to countless drivers. He has been leading the Mentorship Program out of Perry Bus Facility for several years.
“He is on a first-name basis with his customers and they will tell you, he is not just the man who drives the bus, he is a mainstay in their community and part of the family. Mr. Dumas represents the very best of MARTA and we celebrate his incredible career,” MARTA said in a statement.
The company honored Dumas at the November meeting of the MARTA Board of Directors. He was also surprised with a bus featuring his photo and a congratulatory message along with a mini version of the bus as a gift to him. He got to celebrate his 50th year at MARTA with his wife, friends, and colleagues.
Moreover, digital billboards will also be on display throughout Atlanta for one whole month to celebrate Dumas’ 50 years with MARTA.
