Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
JULY 16, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: OPERATOR SAFETY BARRIERS
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE an update on the installation of Operator Barriers for the entire bus fleet.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro places a high priority on the safety of our Operators and customers. To that extent there is a constant focus on improving our safety efforts and seeking innovative approaches to Operator protection. Metro has already begun phasing in Operator protective barriers and video monitors with the latest bus orders. Due to an increase in operator assaults (Attachment A), the CEO has directed the acceleration of the installation to incorporate a retrofit to the existing fleet.
Discussion
BACKGROUND
Metro is dedicated to increasing the safety of our Operators and customers. No matter how minor, assaults on Operators cause worker absence, productivity losses, and increased levels of stress for the victim and coworkers. Therefore, it is important that Metro continue its preventative measures to address the issue of Operator assaults.
To date, Metro has committed to purchasing Operator barriers on 473 new buses by 2016 and 615 video monitors on new buses also by 2016. Buses with Operator barriers were first received on February 6, 2015. Buses with video monitors were first received on September 20, 2014.
All 123 vehicles of the New Flyer 550 bus order equipped with Operator barriers have been received, and the beginning of the 350 New Flyer option order are arriving with Operator barriers and video monitors installed. Staff expects to have the New Flyer 350 bus order received and in-service by October 2016.
DISCUSSION
Due to an increase in operator assaults, the CEO has directed that staff accelerate the installation of equipment and retrofit all buses. Staff has initiated a procurement for installing operator barriers int...
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