Los Angeles, California – Safety concerns have been raised over the lack of effective measures to protect shuttle bus drivers in Los Angeles. Panic buttons on some buses do not connect to emergency services, plexiglass shields around drivers are not intended for physical protection, and other safety features are deemed insufficient by union officials representing drivers.
During a recent Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee meeting, officials from the Department of Transportation highlighted panic buttons, plexiglass barriers, training, video cameras, and radios as safety measures for bus drivers. However, drivers and union representatives argue that many of these measures are inadequate. For example, panic buttons only play a recording instructing individuals to call 911, and the plexiglass shields are primarily for COVID-19 protection rather than preventing attacks.
Instances of violent attacks against bus drivers, some captured on video, have heightened concerns over safety. These incidents include a female passenger assaulting a Metro bus driver, a passenger hijacking a bus with an airsoft gun, and a Metro driver being stabbed in Willowbrook. The spike in safety worries led to numerous operators calling out sick in May, causing delays in Metro bus routes.
While attention has primarily focused on Metro buses, questions have also been raised about the safety measures in place for DASH drivers operating throughout 27 communities in Los Angeles. The absence of police patrols on DASH buses since 2021, with plans to replace them with safety ambassadors lying dormant, has exacerbated the safety concerns. Drivers have reported issues with safety training sessions being canceled and malfunctioning radios in certain areas of the city.
City officials have acknowledged the need for improved safety measures and have planned de-escalation training for drivers. Discussions involving the Los Angeles Police Department, Department of Transportation, and union officials are ongoing to address the safety gaps and protect drivers from violent incidents. Despite the delayed response, union officials and drivers welcome the increased attention to their safety concerns and hope for urgent action to be taken to address the issue.