Bus driver hails hero after spotting five-year-old girl walking alone on New York streets

An MTA bus driver is being hailed as a hero after spotting a girl walking alone on the streets of New York.

Luis Jimenez, 60, was wrapping up his morning shift when something caught his fatherly attention — a five-year-old girl walking alone on the sidewalk near 160th and Broadway on Tuesday afternoon.

“We have a saying at the MTA: If you see something, say something,” Jimenez told ABC 7.

“Well, I’ll do something with myself,” he added with a smile.

The girl skipped school after her fish died with the plan to go to a pet store and buy a new pet fish.

The Harlem resident kept an eye on her through his front window for about a block before finally deciding to stop, call his dispatcher and ask the passenger to call 911.

And with the help of other passengers, Jimenez managed to get the girl, with her school bag still in her hand, onto the bus safely.

Her school reported the kindergartener missing after she didn't show up to class.

Although she had no prior history of missing school, she had a different plan for that particular day – sneaking out to a pet store.

The girl's fish had recently died and she was on her way to replace her beloved pet.

The five-year-old girl had already walked ten blocks away from the safety of the school grounds before Jimenez spotted her.

Fortunately, he decided to work that morning after initially considering calling in sick.

Jimenez said his paternal instincts took over and he kept an eye on the child for about a block after first spotting him.

Jimenez finally decided to stop the bus near 160th and Broadway while he called dispatch and asked another passenger to call 911.

His instincts quickly kicked in and he was able to place the child in the right hands and return her safely to her family.

“My instinct as a father came about because if I saw a child on the street in need of help, I would want someone to help one of my children or one of my grandchildren,” he said.

The veteran bus driver is celebrating 26 years as a New York City transit employee, working from 6am to 4pm on different routes, constantly meeting new people across the Big Apple.

Born and raised in the city, specifically in Washington Heights, Jimenez treats each of his riders as if they were simply an old friend.

“He always tries to make every customer feel good when he's driving,” one of his passengers told CBS News in 2021.

And this isn't the first time he's been recognized for his hard work and positive attitude.

When the pandemic closed New York City's busy streets in 2021, he knew it was his duty to get essential workers in and out of their jobs every day.

He worked 12-hour shifts month after month as the virus continued to spread.

Jimenez is approaching his 26th year as a transit worker in New York City and says he treats each of his passengers as if they were his neighbors

But his dedication to the people of the city was recognized, and he was one of the essential workers chosen by the NFL and CBS Sports to be featured on the Super Bowl Pregame Show.

“New York doesn’t stop,” he told CBS News. 'We moved to New York. If we stop, New York stops.

'The moment I was needed, I was able to say that 'I'm here''.

Last year, the New York Liberty, an American professional basketball team based in the city and Brooklyn, celebrated Black History Month on their YouTube Channel by highlighting different members of the roster who directly impact the black community – one of them is Jimenez.

He spoke about his passion for transporting people from all walks of life and the joy he spreads throughout the community.

He was also recognized on New York Liberty's YouTube channel during Black History Month, where he shared his passion for his work

And when he finishes his shift at the MTA, he hangs up his uniform and goes dancing for the Timeless Torches — a WNBA New York Liberty dance team for men and women over 40.

'Driving in New York is like a perfect day. I open that door and it's as if the world came to me. I love my passengers. I want to give them the best ride, the best time, the best view of the city while taking them where they are going,” he said. The art of doing.

'This tour is my gift to them. Wherever they come from, they can take this home to New York City. I tell my children: you have to love what you do.

As for the little girl, it's still unclear if she got her new pet fish.

But Jimenez said if she didn't, he and the community should help her in that regard as well.

“Times are hard and there are things happening every day, and every day we have to come in with a positive attitude and be able to, even if it's negative all over the world, we have to move forward and make a difference.”