MARTA Bus Driver Janet Royston Faces Alleged Assailant Everett Sloan in Court

TLANTA - A MARTA bus driver stabbed aboard a bus last month faced her alleged assailant in court Thursday moing.

Janet Royston, 52, was injured during a robbery while driving her route in DeKalb County September 6.

Dozens of MARTA bus drivers packed the courtroom in a show of support for coworker Janet Royston.

Police say 28-year old Everett Tyrone Sloan stabbed the veteran bus driver during a robbery aboard her bus on Green Forest Drive at Gay Drive in Dekalb County on September 6th.

Sloan, who was riding the bus before the assault is charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and hijacking a bus with a concealed weapon.

Sloan fled after the stabbing. He was later apprehended by a MARTA police officer without incident in Dekalb County near Gresham Road and Interstate 20.

Surrounded by supporters, Royston spoke about her ordeal at the courthouse on Thursday.

"I am thankful for them. They've been very good to me. They've been great checking on me everyday -- making sure. And to stand here now with me to go in to that courtroom to say enough is enough -- I am very pleased right now," said the victim, Janet Royston.

Several of the bus drivers who were out in support of Royston also took the opportunity to speak out. They claim the MARTA system is plagued with security problems and they are demanding a safer working environment.

 "We are asking for more security. That's all. We could really use some bus shields. That would help keep people from stabbing us spitting on us," said bus driver Barbra Riley. 

A MARTA spokesman tells FOX 5 that the agency is aware of the drivers conces and has been working with their union rep to address them.

MARTA issued a written statement saying the Authority has implemented a number of safety enhancements this year, including investing $2 million to increase police presence throughout the bus and rail system and planning a $16 million program to install cameras in all buses and trains.