While research shows that transit systems across the U.S. are seeing an increase in violence against bus drivers, many are taking preventive actions, such as training, and providing assistance to operators in the aftermath of an incident.

The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), University of South Florida, is collecting data on these incidents, primarily from the National Transit Database (NTD), and conducting a survey of U.S. public transportation systems. The NTD data shows assaults are on the rise, with injuries to transit riders sustained during an assault being the most prevalent, followed by injuries to transit vehicle operators, according to a CUTR report.

The research also reviews return-to-duty procedures implemented by transit agencies for bus operators who have experienced assault or other traumatic events while on duty, said Lisa Staes, director of transit safety and workforce development programs, CUTR, who is presenting a paper on the topic at the APTA Bus & Paratransit conference on Monday, May 6.

Data collected from the NTD focuses on major incidents that resulted in a fatality, an injury that requires immediate medical assistance away from the scene, or involved property damage or evacuation. Looking at only those assaults reported to NTD’s safety and security form 40 for major incidents, the linear trend from 2008 to 2012 is up, Staes said.

“There were 119 injuries to transit vehicle operators in 2008. From that point to 2012 there’s some variability. In 2012 there were 124,” she added.

Despite the slight increase in bus operator assaults reflected in the NTD data, the industry is telling a different story through CUTR’s survey, Staes said, since incidents, such as a bus operator being struck, spat upon or otherwise harassed, are not captured as specific data points by NTD data.
“We’re hearing from transit agencies that the trends are much greater than that reflected in NTD,” she added.

However, CUTR is working with large transit agencies that have the resources to track these types of incidents to identify the policies and procedures they have in place to help operators deal with these events.[PAGEBREAK]

So far, CUTR’s survey has collected information that indicates transit systems are not only preparing bus operators for assaults but are also providing assistance to them after the fact, through employee assistance programs that offer counseling, legal support for bus operators, some form of recompense for lost wages through workers’ compensation and flexible reassignment, such as light duty or shifts at different times of day.

“Being flexible and providing a range of opportunities for bus operators is very important,” Staes added.

Transit systems providing this support include San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit, NYC Transit, Orange County Transportation Authority and many others.

Additionally, training to defuse any type of volatile situation is critical. “Often these assaults are related to fare disputes and other situations where it begins with an argument and gets out of hand,” Staes said.

[PAGEBREAK]What measures have you found to be the most effective in protecting bus drivers from violent situations with riders?

David King, GM
Triangle Transit
Durham, N.C.
Our operators travel thousands of miles each month, and we’ve been fortunate to not have many incidents. They have been trained in what to do in case of an emergency. We actively display our Riders Code of Conduct and are bolstered by a North Carolina law, which says a rider who commits an assault, if found guilty of a misdemeanor, can be sentenced by up to two years in jail and a fine.

TJ Ross, executive director
Pace Suburban Bus Service
Arlington Heights, Ill.
Protection of our bus operators begins with making sure the rules for riding the bus are consistently enforced by the bus operators and the supervisors. Problems result when passengers feel they are being treated differently by different bus operators. Supervisors need to back up the bus operators as well when handling passenger incidents. Also bus operators need to be allowed to make decisions that calm down a situation and not be disciplined for using their discretion.

Neil McFarlane, GM
TriMet
Portland, Ore.
We have no tolerance for any assault against our operators. Along with our transit police officers, we place a high priority on responding to all of these types of incidents and aggressively pursue and prosecute riders who assault operators. Our CCTV cameras throughout the system also serve as a deterrent and provide critical evidence to identify suspects.