Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has achieved a new safety milestone by equipping its entire bus fleet with protective barriers designed to safeguard drivers against assaults. As stated in a Fox LA report, these installations come after a series of violent incidents on Metro's trains and buses sparked safety concerns for bus operators.
The barriers, comprised of shatterproof, tempered glass and reinforced with steel, have been installed on a total of 2,105 buses. With this initiative, LA Metro has taken the lead as the first U.S. transit agency to implement such protection on a large scale. According to a CBS News Los Angeles article, the materials used for these barriers would be enough to cover a full-size football field.
These protective measures have effectively reduced the risk of assault on bus drivers. A significant decrease in the number of incidents has been observed on buses outfitted with the barriers since their initial deployment in April. "Drivers were 58% less likely to be assaulted," LA Metro officials reported, as stated by CBS News Los Angeles.
Moreover, Metro's extensive efforts to enhance transit safety extend beyond physical barriers. As noted in an article from Pasadena Now, the authority has incorporated measures like onboard cameras, digital video recorders, and emergency communication devices. These are complemented by de-escalation training for drivers and the "See Something, Say Something" campaign aimed at encouraging passenger vigilance. Signage on the buses also warns of the legal consequences for assaulting operators – a criminal act that carries penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000.
.jpg){kind=link}