CHATTANOOGA — A part-time Incline Railway conductor was fired on July 4, 2026, after making remarks to passengers. The conductor stated, "To the very, very few Americans in here, Happy Independence Day," and added, "To the rest of you, welcome to the greatest country on the face of this planet, and, if you disagree, you can leave."

A video of the incident was posted on social media. A customer provided this video to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) on the afternoon of July 4, 2026. The Incline Railway's director met with the employee the same day.

CARTA stated that the conductor's remarks were unacceptable and do not align with the values of CARTA or the Incline Railway. CARTA also stated that the conductor will not be employed by either organization again. The Incline Railway has been in operation for 131 years.

Scott Wilson, chief of staff at CARTA, issued an apology regarding the incident. "I want to apologize directly to the passengers who experienced this, and to everyone who has seen the video and felt its sting," Wilson said. He added, "We have zero tolerance for language that demeans or excludes anyone who rides with us."