Shreveport City Council honors bus operator Valerie Ross for evacuating riders after bus smoke

The Shreveport City Council adopted a resolution commending Valerie Ross, a Sport Tran bus operator, for her actions on April 16, 2025, when she responded to smoke on a bus, moved the vehicle out of traffic and evacuated passengers without reported injuries.

The council read Resolution 70 during the awards portion of the meeting and invited Ms. Ross and Sport Tran staff forward. The resolution states that Ross, who the resolution records as having served as a bus operator since Feb. 8, 2016, “responded to the emergency with composure and professionalism” by notifying dispatch, moving the bus to a safe location and beginning evacuation procedures, and that her actions “prevented injuries and made certain all passengers aboard remain safe.”

Mayor Orsonault and multiple council members thanked Ross during the presentation. Councilman Green said, “congratulations and God bless you,” and noted he had seen a video of the incident; the mayor said the event “could have been a situation that was much worse” and praised Ross’s “skills and training.” Sport Tran staff also offered remarks of appreciation on behalf of the agency.

Council moved and approved Resolution 70 during the regular agenda; the clerk recorded the resolution’s adoption. The council later invited Ross and staff for photos following the recognition.

No policy, financial award or disciplinary action followed from the recognition; the resolution is a formal commendation recorded in the council minutes.