A Coast Mountain Bus Company transit operator says that a man on a Vancouver bus said a number of hateful, racist comments to him this week.
In a now-removed Facebook post, Ramgoat Buckaman, a CMBS transit operator, states that he discovered an object that looked like a noose on the bus he was driving in Vancouver. However, he says that he didn't want to make a scene over it.
"Within a few minutes, my fears were confirmed after man later got on the bus and asked if I’m gonna hit Broadway. Told him yes, [and] he locked his stroller and sat down," writes Buckaman.
"Suddenly I heard him say “Oh look driver, someone left you a noose, perfect for hanging." I instantly panicked as I didn’t know what the outcome of such outburst was gonna be. He further said, I think you should hang yourself with it at the end of your night.. I would understand if you did hang yourself!"
Following the remarks, Buckaman says he "froze" and that his, "heart sank, eyes popped open, heart was racing and I was sweating profusely...all while driving across Granville bridge."
Buckaman adds that the bus was completely silent after the incident, and that no one said anything: "It was like nothing happened."
When the Broadway stop was announced on the speaker a short while later, Buckaman writes that the man said, “you must be so happy I’m getting off at the next stop huh?"
A week prior to the incident on the bus, Buckaman says that, "Karen called the cops on me for washing my car outside."
Photo: Ramgoat Buckaman / FacebookTransLink Spokesperson Ben Murphy tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that Coast Mountain Bus Company and Transit Police are currently investigating the incident.
“We are aware of a deeply concerning incident involving one of our bus operators," writes Murphy. "Coast Mountain Bus Company and Transit Police are now investigating. Racism has absolutely no place on our transit system and should not be tolerated under any circumstance.”
Metro Vancouver Transit Police Spokesperson Sergeant Clint Hampton tells V.I.A. in an email that Transit Police are aware of the, "Deeply disturbing social media post," but that the incident was not reported to them. That said, he notes that Transit Police,"take all reports of this nature very seriously."
"There is no place for hate, racism or biases on the transit system," writes Hampton.
Last year, V.I.A. asked our readers who they would nominate for the city’s most awesome bus driver.
Here is what a reader said about Buckaman in February 2019: "I am nominating Ramgoat Buckaman as the best and kindest bus driver I have ever met in my long bus riding experience. He is always courteous and polite to all passengers. You feel safe. Treat him fine, he deserves it."
Metro Vancouver Transit Police are currently investigating the incident and will follow up with Buckaman.
