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 into the existing fleet, working backwards in age until the entire serviceable fleet has been retrofitted. The sequence will be: the newest New Flyer 5600 series buses (427); NABI Compo buses (642); NABI articulated buses (390); the remaining serviceable NABI 7000 series buses (252); and New Flyer 5300 series buses (223).
Metro Staff has also met with BYD to finalize and approve the design for the Operator barrier for the electric bus demonstration project. Barrier fabrication will commence shortly, and Metro expects to receive the first installed barrier by September 2015. Metro will retrofit all five BYD buses with barriers.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Operator safety is at the forefront of Metro’s priorities. The deployment of barriers on the new and existing fleet will mitigate Operator assaults and customer misconduct. Retrofitting the rest of Metro’s bus fleet will provide a consistent level of protection for all Operators system-wide.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of the operator barriers for the current 350 bus procurement was budgeted as part of the contract.
The estimated cost to retrofit the remainder of the existing fleet with Operator barriers is approximately $10 million dollars.
Staff will return to the Board to award the contract for retrofitting the existing serviceable fleet. At that time, the report will include the full financial plan for the Board’s consideration.
Impact to Budget
Impact to the FY16 budget has not been defined. Upon contract award, staff will bring a financial plan and funding sources used for this effort back to the Board for approval.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
As this is a personnel safety request and part of the configuration of new vehicles being received, Staff did not consider any alternatives.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Operator safety is a top priority for Metro. Staff will continue to include operator barriers and video monitors on all existing and future vehicle procurements.
Once staff has determined the financial scope for retrofitting the existing bus fleet, staff will return to the board with a request for funding and authorization to execute a contract for the acquisition and installation of barriers.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Operator Assualt Statistics
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Steve Schupak, Project Control Manager, Transit Capital Programs
(213) 922-2170
Richard Hunt, General Manager, Transit Capital Programs (213) 922-7462
Questions: Christopher Reyes, Senior Administrative Analyst, Operations (213) 922-4808
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Robert Holland, Interim Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-4438
