Improving Bus Safety: LA’s Plan to Protect Drivers and Passengers Amid Rising Crime

The Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee has approved a list of recommendations to improve safety for bus operators and passengers in response to rising crime rates on public transit. Read their full report here. 

What You Need to Know

Their report shares that physical assaults on buses in Los Angeles nearly tripled from 2022 to 2023.  

To combat this the city has recently began implementing various safety measures, including: 

• Fixing emergency buttons on buses 

• Adding roadway supervisors 

• Incorporating live-stream video surveillance 

• Upgrading the entire DASH fleet with direct connections to dispatch centers 

• Installing driver barriers and surveillance systems on buses 

• Purchasing hand-held devices with open connections to LAPD's dispatch system 

• Considering "lone worker personal safety devices" for bus operators 

The committee recommends allocating $3.6 million from Prop A and existing grants for the continued implementation of these safety upgrades.

As well as for the city to urgently execute the contracts dealing with the installation of protective driver barriers on LADOT DASH buses.

They also encourage the police department to report back on what their plan is to provide security services to support LADOT DASH's safe operations. 

How It Impacts You

If public safety on transit systems improves, this could have a big positive impact on our members.  

With these new safety measures, tenants and employees could have greater peace of mind when using services like DASH and Metro to commute to and from properties. 

Improved transit security can make properties more appealing to businesses looking for office space with convenient public transportation options. 

However, given the rise in crime on public transit, property managers should consider reviewing their own security protocols, especially if their properties are near major transit hubs.  

Enhanced building security, better lighting around transit stops, and communication with local law enforcement could become key priorities. 

Stay Connected

Stay connected with BOMA on the Frontline to receive more updates on public safety measures being taken in the greater Los Angeles region.