Winnipeg Transit prepares to test out shields to protect drivers

Winnipeg Transit is preparing to testout shields around bus drivers as part of the city's new transit-safety program.

The city is looking for a supplier to experiment with safety shields on buses to figure out which models best suit Winnipeg Transit drivers.

Council approved the pilot project in April as part of a larger package of safety upgrades that also includes more video surveillance on buses and the hiring of up to five private security officers in 2018.

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The testing phase is expected to last six months.According to a tender issued on Thursday, the shield determined to work best for Winnipeg Transit during the test"may become the city standard for bus operator shields."

If that happens, the supplier will be asked to provide shields for all Winnipeg Transit buses until Aug. 31, 2019.