Mayor Tom Arceneaux commends a SPORTRAN bus driver for her heroic and life-saving actions during a bus fire that occurred Wednesday, April 16, at a north Shreveport bus stop. The mayor also praises SPORTRAN CEO Dinero Washington for his immediate response and leadership in swiftly pulling all compressed natural gas (CNG) buses from service pending inspection and investigation.
“Our city is grateful for the courage and quick thinking demonstrated yesterday,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “The actions of this SPORTRAN bus driver undoubtedly saved lives. In a moment of danger, she reacted without hesitation, ensuring all passengers were safely evacuated before the fire escalated. She is a true public servant and a heroine.”
The incident involved a SPORTRAN bus that caught fire shortly after pulling into a downtown bus stop. Thanks to the driver’s fast response and calm under pressure, all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames and then exploded. There were no reported injuries.
Mayor Arceneaux also expressed appreciation for the leadership of Dinero Washington, CEO of SPORTRAN, for his immediate action in temporarily suspending the operation of all CNG buses while the cause of the fire is investigated.
“Mr. Washington’s proactive approach and commitment to public safety are exactly what we expect from our transit leadership,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “His swift decision to ground the CNG fleet was made with the safety of our riders and drivers in mind, and we support him fully as the investigation continues.”
The City of Shreveport will continue to work closely with SPORTRAN and public safety officials to ensure the safety of our transit system and to keep the public informed as more information becomes available.
For now, we extend our deepest gratitude to a brave bus driver whose actions remind us of the critical role our frontline workers play each day—and to the leadership at SPORTRAN for acting quickly and responsibly.
