Community Corner
Investigation into Unqualified Atlanta Streetcar Operators Halves Driver Numbers
The lack of drivers and a damaged streetcar have caused a spike in wait times on the 2.7-mile loop in the heart of the city.
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Atlanta Streetcar has suspended more than half of its complement of streetcar operators after a WSB-TV investigation discovered they didn’t have the proper qualifications to operate the vehicles.
Find out what's happening in Midtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Four operators were suspended by the organization, leaving only three qualified operators on strength, the station reports. Each operator was required to have a Georgia commercial driver’s license and a medical certificate; it is not clear who gave the green light for the unqualified operators to get behind the controls.
The reduction in operator staff and the temporary loss of one of the streetcars has caused 20-plus minute delays in service, WSB-TV says.
Find out what's happening in Midtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The temporarily lost streetcar was damaged last month when it hit an illegally parked flower delivery van outside a funeral home. The operator of that streetcar was fully qualified, WSB-TV says.
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