Transit drivers are angered by the killing of Shawn Yim, a 59-year-old King County Metro bus driver who was reportedly maced, then stabbed in an altercation while on duty on a bus route in Seattle at about 3 a.m. Dec. 18.
Everett Transit union president Steve Oss called it “a senseless murder, no point to it.”
“It could have happened to any of our drivers,” Oss said to the Everett City Council at that evening’s meeting.
Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) said in a statement that “transit workers are essential to keeping our communities connected, and their safety must be a top priority. This tragedy underscores the urgent need to make our public transit systems safer for both drivers and passengers.” Liias will support measures to keep transit drivers safer.
King County Metro’s union, Amalgamated Transit Union 587, held a press conference Dec. 19 demanding King County take measures for driver safety. They demand isolated, secure driver compartments, and the “establishment of a regional task force on transit, safety and security,” KING-TV reported ATU 587 union president Greg Woodfill said.
Yim’s killer was charged with murder. He stabbed the bus driver at least 10 times. It began with a disagreement. The incident happened in Seattle’s University District. The suspected attacker is 53.
