A TikTok clip from Atlanta caught a MARTA bus rolling south on Lenox Road NE with a blunt message lit across its rear display: “CALL 911 HELP!” Viewers initially questioned whether it was staged. The caption asked if it was even real. The comments gave a swift answer, and we can confirm, these messages are typically very real.

City buses across the U.S. use silent alarms built into the driver’s console

Many U.S. transit systems use panic or silent-alarm buttons that let a bus driver trigger an emergency alert.

When pressed, the button notifies dispatch and can push an exterior message such as “Call 911” or “Emergency.” Drivers use it when they can’t speak safely over the radio. Larger metro fleets and newer buses are more likely to have this feature, especially those with digital signs. 

But not all agencies program the alert to the outside display. Some only notify dispatch. A few rely on nearby drivers to call 911.

One person who said they worked for MARTA confirmed that drivers have a panic button. 

Another explained that when pressed, the system updates the marquee so passing motorists are effectively drafted into emergency support.

A retired driver said this alert is only used under serious threat, while someone with a spouse operating a MARTA bus noted drivers can customize the wording. In their words, if that sign appears, “there’s an emergency going on.”

A commenter said they’d seen similar alerts tied to violent situations, even hostage scenarios. 

Others pointed to Los Angeles, where drivers reportedly used the same feature during an armed incident. Someone said all transit systems have a version of this, describing it as a distress call meant for when radio contact isn’t possible.

People debated whether it could be accidental

One user asked directly, and several responded it can be triggered unintentionally. A commenter pointed out that drivers sometimes hit the alert by mistake.

Others said that’s beside the point. If you see it, call. A commenter from Atlanta admitted they’d never paid attention to bus displays until now. After looking into it, I’m in the same boat. I don’t use the city bus system in Columbus myself, but I’ll be sure to check the message strips from now on.

One person said if it’s a prank, consequences fall on the driver. If it’s real, though, ignoring it could cost lives.

Accidental activation does happen. Even so, transit professionals say treat it like the real thing every time.