Rise in Bus Driver Assaults Triggers New Protection Laws
Rise in Bus Driver Assaults Triggers New Protection Laws
More than 30 states have laws classifying assault on transit operators as a special category of a misdemeanor. Incidents are increasing, and transit workers and their unions are pushing for action at all levels of government.
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which represents public transit
workers in the U.S. and Canada, has pushed for a range of measures to
address operator safety at individual transit agencies and at the state
and federal levels. In addition to Virginia, lawmakers in Oregon have
recently moved to increase penalties for people who assault transit workers.
New Jersey passed a similar law last year, and New Jersey Transit is now working to implement
a “no ride list” that permanently bans riders who attack transit
operators, similar to “no fly” lists in the airline industry. In
general, there’s a “double standard” when it comes to worker safety in
the airline industry and on public transit, says John Costa, Amalgamated
Transit Union’s international president.
“In the airline
industry their reaction is very simple: You disrespect a pilot or a
stewardess or anybody on the airlines, you’re taken off the plane
immediately, you’re prosecuted, and you’re banned,” Costa says.
