Letter: Safety does not concern transit system operators

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

Repressive management is back.

According to a recent article by Sun reporter Launce Rake, three CAT drivers (Gene Smith, Steve Mora and Ben Carter) are faced with firing for protesting safety and working conditions. The ATC says that they may be fired for interfering with contract talks, not safety concerns. Not so.

I am 73, a regular CAT rider and I assure you safety is the issue. The buses are worn out.

The city of Las Vegas and Clark County need to send the RTC and ATC down the road. They are only concerned with the bottom line -- not safety. A new extension on the ATC contract is worth $250 million for the next five years. That money will upgrade the system. How many new buses will they buy with this money? Ask them, someone!

Las Vegas and Clark County can do a credible job of running CAT. For much less money. With new buses.

A lot of people complain that CAT drivers are rude and surly. Well, look at it this way. If you went to work and knew that you were going out into rotten traffic with a sub-standard machine, you'd be rude and surly too.

RTC and ATC must hit the road. It's that simple. To Smith, Mora and Carter -- hang in there.

P. J. GLAVIANO