Get cops on buses!
TWU Local 100 in the Bronx in May on a safety campaign urging riders to tell the mayor to deploy cops to buses
TWU Local 100 has been very vocal about the need for uniformed police officers to ride buses to help prevent the attacks and abuse inflicted on Bus Operators. It appears the MTA has come to the same conclusion. The MTA’s Sarah Meyer today told the authority board at its monthly meeting that 64% of subway riders feel safer when they see a uniformed police officer in the system – but that “the NYPD does not patrol buses. We need a plan on that front.” MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said, “Policing isn’t limited to the subway or the commuter rail system. People who ride buses also deserve effective policing. We’re looking at it right now.”
TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano issued the following comment in response to this development: “We are grateful that the MTA has finally publicly taken up our call for the police to pay much more attention to buses. This is good news for riders and Bus Operators. Bus Operators never see uniformed police officers on buses and have been subjected to violent assaults and horrendous abuse for far too long. The city has increased the number of police officers in the subway. It’s a good step but there’s more to be done throughout the subway and bus system. Transit workers come to work to do a job, not be punching bags for unhinged riders and criminals. We want to go home to our families at the end of our shifts safe and sound, not wind up in the emergency room.”
Police on a relatively very small scale “step on, step off” buses at very few bus stops but do not ride buses along routes.
Some previous coverage about Local 100 demanding police attention to buses. https://nypost.com/2021/05/13/scared-nyc-bus-drivers-demand-cops-in-their-vehicles/