Mecklenburg County Transportation Driver to The Rescue

Vehicle drivers are the outward face of public transportation systems. Not only do they pick up and drop off riders at various locations throughout the day, their riders depend on them for their day-to-day needs – whether that be going to the grocery store, being taken to work or arriving at a doctor’s appointment. Being out in the community can bring challenges and unexpected situations at any time. For one driver in Mecklenburg County, her quick actions meant the difference between life and death for a local resident.

On the morning of January 9, Mecklenburg Transit System driver Elloree Massey was on her daily route when she noticed an elderly man on the railroad tracks of Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte. Massey saw the safety arms drop on the railroad track as the train was getting closer.

She said she had the choice to “watch him get hurt or try to help.” Massey immediately hopped out of her van and quickly coached the man to safety just before the locomotive passed. The entire scare was capture on the dash cam video of Massey’s MTS vehicle. On Tuesday, March 18, Massey was recognized by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners for her act of heroism.

For more information, watch this video by Mecklenburg County Government.

The Mecklenburg Transportation System provides a variety of transportation services to Mecklenburg County residents.  Most of MTS services are aimed to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, rural transportation for the general public. Through a combination of in house and contracted vendor providers, they are able to provide transportation services seven days a week.