Los Angeles Metro Installs Protective Barriers Across Entire Bus Fleet to Safeguard Drivers

LOS ANGELES—Metro has completed the installation of protective barriers across its entire bus fleet to safeguard drivers, a decision made in response to an increase in assaults on bus operators, officials announced on Tuesday.

In total, 2,105 buses have been fitted with shatterproof barriers made of tempered glass, reinforced with steel and low-reflectivity laminated materials. The design and manufacturing were carried out in-house at Metro’s Central Maintenance Facility located in downtown Los Angeles, while the majority of the installation was performed by personnel within the operating divisions.

Officials noted that approximately 55,000 square feet of materials were utilized, sufficient to cover a full-sized football field.

In April, Metro’s board of directors sanctioned an emergency procurement motion to expedite the installation process. On Monday, the final barrier was installed, marking Metro as the first transit agency in the nation to retrofit its entire bus fleet with such protective measures.

The barriers provide an additional layer of security for drivers against physical threats, including punching, grabbing, thrown objects, and spitting.

The impact of the barriers is already observable. Metro reported that from April to September, drivers operating buses equipped with the barriers experienced a 58 percent reduction in the likelihood of assaults, alongside a notable decrease in spitting incidents.

Metro’s bus system ranks as the second busiest in the U.S., offering over 222.7 million bus rides since November within a service area covering 1,447 square miles and featuring more than 12,000 bus stops.

Additionally, Metro has implemented onboard cameras, digital video recorders, and emergency buttons for operators to call for support. The agency has mandated de-escalation training and launched a “See Something, Say Something” initiative to encourage passengers to report concerns and remain vigilant.

According to state law, assaults against bus operators carry penalties of up to three years in prison and fines reaching $10,000.