The Federal Transit Administration on Thursday released an initial analysis of transit agency responses to a General Directive regarding assaults issued last year. Agencies were directed to assess risks, implement strategies to protect workers, and take other actions.
“The plague of assaults against transit workers is beyond reprehensible. We go to work to provide a service, not to be punching bags, not to wind up in a hospital or even a coffin,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “It’s abundantly clear that the full weight of the federal government is needed to ensure transit agencies take meaningful action to address this crisis.”
The majority of transit agencies across the country are deploying de-escalation training and video/audio surveillance to reduce assaults. The majority of agencies already use video/audio surveillance, while more than 300 agencies nationwide are currently implementing or planning to implement de-escalation training. Other measures to reduce assaults include changing operating policies and procedures, signage informing riders of penalties for assaulting transit workers, protective barriers, and emergency alarms.
The requirement for transit agencies to conduct and submit a safety risk assessment to the FTA builds and adds teeth to provisions that were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The FTA issued it’s first-ever general directive directing compliance last year. Agencies were forced to submit the risk assessments or face a potential loss of federal funding.