Playing in the background of the Dumas’s MARTA memorabilia-filled living room is the Andy Griffith Show, a program whose time off the air eclipses the 51 years that Coy Dumas, Jr. served as an employee of The Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority (MARTA).

Joining MARTA in 1972, Dumas witnessed the evolution of Atlanta through the windows of an old 400 series bus to the modern 1886 BRT 30-footer models that are being used to take thousands of Atlantans to and from work every day today.

Having been trained by the first five Black transit workers of local 732, Dumas dealt in decoding route sheets, ensuring the seamless operation of public transportation, and driving several routes throughout his career ranging from the West End of Atlanta (his favorite area, he says) to Buckhead.  His expertise earned him the role of a trainer, a position he plans to continue doing even in retirement. 

During Dumas’ career, he has trained MARTA employees, stopped armed robberies, and driven through fluctuating weather conditions. In 2020, Dumas, Jr. started contemplating the thought of retirement, and in 2023, he exchanged the familiar routine of decoding route sheets to give way to a new chapter that commenced with early morning dog walks at 2 AM. Post-retirement, Dumas now adheres to a schedule that involves morning walks, bed-making, shared coffee moments with his wife Theresa (who Dumas will refer to as “Mama” when addressing in conversation), and engaging in the day’s errands. 

Before retirement, Dumas would wake at 2 AM with his wife and begin their shared ritual and routine, which they have maintained throughout their time together. Mrs. Dumas would begin her day preparing either coffee or tea based on her preferences, for Dumas and then oversee Dumas’ lunch and breakfast preparations, which he then would…