Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The man boarded the bus and then forced the driver and the two passengers off it at gunpoint before getting behind the wheel and heading east. He was found dead of a single gunshot wound.

New bill requires that drivers of buses and other vehicles equipped with flashing lights use them when picking up or dropping off developmentally disabled riders. Violators are subject to a fine of at least $100 for a first offense.

Currently, on-board surveillance cameras do not record the bus driver's compartment, which means some assaults may not be entirely caught on video.

COTA forbids drivers from texting or talking on cellphones while driving, even with hands-free devices.

The device, designed by Rice University students, incorporates high-powered ultraviolet lamps that sterilize the air and has proven effective at killing 99.8% of the pathogens that circulate through the air-filtering system.

The bus operator's only recent shift was Friday morning, when the operator was assigned to a bus on the 14th Street Line.

The first phase of the campaign includes an online portal for customers to report incidents to Metro Transit Police, along with improved data tracking of incidents.

The agency released a five-year crime report showing that crime on the transit system has decreased since 2010, but the crime rate was still higher in 2011 than at other major transit agencies.

“Boston Under: After Hours,” a 44-minute film available on YouTube, follows the agency’s night crew through its shift, as workers deal with the challenges and dangers of the job.

Rise fueled primarily by thefts of personal electronics. Police have added 243 new officers to patrol the subways.