The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority’s  (Metro) central maintenance facility and operating divisions completed retrofitting their entire active bus fleet with new barriers made of shatterproof tempered glass that fully encloses the driver.

The barrier was designed, prototyped, and fabricated in-house at LA Metro’s Central Maintenance Facility in downtown Los Angeles and the barriers were mostly installed by LA Metro staff at the operating divisions.

Metro Proactively Protecting Staff

Metro’s board approved an emergency procurement motion to allow for accelerated installation of the barriers. In eight months Metro has been able to retrofit all 2017 active buses in their fleet, making it the first transit agency in the nation to do so.

The barriers are constructed of steel and laminated, low-reflectivity shatter-resistant glass. Metro used about 55,000 square feet of this glass to retrofit the entire fleet.

Preventing Attacks

The bus barrier initiative was launched in response to an increase in attacks on bus operators. The barriers provide an extra layer of security for operators, protecting them from physical attacks and behaviors such as spitting. 

The barriers are already showing positive results, with operators being 58% less likely to be assaulted on buses with them. 

This it the latest step Metro has taken to enhance operator safety. They have also installed onboard cameras, DVR systems, and emergency buttons for operators, introduced de-escalation training for operators, implemented a “See Something, Say Something” marketing campaign to encourage riders to report issues, put up signage to remind passengers that assaults are punishable by law, and introduced dedicated bus riding security teams.

The Road for Metro

Metro’s bus system is the second busiest in the U.S. and has provided more than 222.7 million rides during the first 11 months of 2024.

In July 2022, Metro began to work on prototype barriers that provide additional protection for bus operators, the prototypes were installed on a limited number of buses in April 2023. Through an online survey, over 2,500 bus operators showed a preference for a barrier that would extend the protected area to the front windshield of the bus. However, bus operators noted a concern with reflections and glare observed in the prototypes.

Metro identified a Department of Transportation approved tempered glass material with a special coating that significantly reduces reflections to address the feedback.