Published 02 Apr, 2012
“What do we want? Safe buses. When do we want it? Now!” could be heard loud and clear on March 26 as members from Local 234 in Philadelphia continue to demanded justice for victims of transit violence.
The demand for justice comes after another attack on a bus operator occurred on March 17th when the operator was dragged from his bus and assaulted leaving him with a broken nose and other facial injuries.
“Our members are angry that SEPTA’s response to assaults is essentially to blame the victim,” said Local 234 President John Johnson. “The operators need real support. So do the riding public and pedestrians whose safety is jeopardized by these assaults.”
The Local has called for three specific actions to make a difference for its area:
- Create a squad drawn from City and SEPTA police to patrol buses on high crime routes and loops
- Ensure that emergency response buttons are in working order at all times and, when activated, get an immediate response
- SEPTA to join the TWU Local 234 Operator and Public Safety Task Force with the power to investigate the issue and make recommendations to SEPTA’s Board of Trustees concerning violence on public transportation
TWU Local 234 formed the Operator and Public Safety Task Force in September 2011 due to the increase of assaults that more than doubled from 2010. The Task Force members are operators who were victims of assaults and are committed to improving safety on public transportation.
The local will continue to have their voices heard about the demand for safe public transit for operators and the riding public through numerous actions and events.
However, this recent attack is not just a local issue, but a national one that continues to be under reported.
According to a recent study named Transit Cooperative Research Program Practices to Protect Bus Operators from Passenger Assault, sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration, transit workers are at a higher risk for violence than are workers in numerous other fields.
TWU Health and Safety Director Ed Watt has been working closely with ATU and others to bring more attention to the issue and recommendations to prevent the attacks.
“Assaults on transit workers are reaching epidemic proportions,” said Watt. “It is as widespread and pervasive as any hazard or other dilemma faced by any transit agency. As a national problem, it cries out for national attention and industry wide solutions.”
TWU will continue its work to ensure the safety of its members and the public are protected.