Fewer bus drivers being injured thanks to protective shields, city says - Action News
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Ottawa

Fewer bus drivers being injured thanks to protective shields, city says

New data released by the City of Ottawa suggests acrylic barriers installed on buses are minimizing the risk of serious physical assaults on drivers, but their union says people have found other ways to harass them.

But many are still regularly berated, spat upon, union notes

A red number 12 Blair bus drives through an intersection
For the first time in recent memory, no OC Transpo drivers were seriously injured as a result of being assaulted on the job in 2022. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

New data released by the City of Ottawa suggests acrylic barriers installed on buses are minimizing the risk of serious physical assaults on drivers, but their union says people have found other ways to harass them.

OC Transpologged 49 bus operator injuries resulting from assaults in 2022, with 36 happening while the employee was sitting behind the wheel.

Of those none were deemed serious "a first in recent history," according to Duane Duquette, deputy chief safety officer.

The transit authority introduced the shields to address a spate of violent attacks on drivers that included being slapped, groped and punched. It believes they'reworking.

"The operator barriers have had a direct impact not only on the frequency, but also the severity of the assaults as they limit a person's ability to contact the operator," Duquette told members of the city'stransit commission on Thursday.

A spreadsheet shows the last five years of assaults on bus operators
The City of Ottawa says assaults on bus operators have been going down, largely because of the introduction of protective shields. (The City of Ottawa)

All drivers have been trained to stay in their seats during these situations, Duquette added, in case they escalate.

While injuries sustained by drivers at the wheeldropped from 93in 2018 to 36 last year, that period also sawa significant drop in the overall number of people taking public transit.

Averageridership in 2022 was 52 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Man with a paper mask sits at the wheel of a bus behind an acrylic shield
These acrylic barriers have been installed on OC Transpo buses to keep drivers safe from abuse. City staff say they are working. (The City of Ottawa)

Assaults include threats, aggressive behaviour

Ten of the injuries occurred while the operator was driving a type of bus that wasn't fully outfitted with protective shieldingand won't be until this July.

But three dozen other injurieshappened despite the driver being behind a barrier.

"How exactly are they happening?" asked Barrhaven EastCoun. Wilson Lo, a former OC Transpo driver.

"Is it the gap at the front of it, above it?"

A politician speaks at a meeting table.
Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo, right, wanted to know how drivers are being assaulted despite the barriers. (Jean Delisle/CBC)

Duquette said it's possible someone could throw something like a coffee cup through the gap, but underscored thebroad definition of assaultincludes things like verbal abuse, harassment and aggressive behaviour.

Staff also explained that some of the gaps are intentionalto ensure the driver's view is not impeded.

Growing issue across Canada

Transit systems across the country have been grappling with an increase in violent assaults.

The Amalgamated Transit Union has called for the formation of a national task force to address a situation it sees as "way out of control."

A man with a goatee in a blue shirt stands outside in front of a building with a sign reading, Amalgamated Transit Union
Clint Crabtree, president of the local chapter of the Amalgamated Transit Union, says passengers who can no longer strike drivers are now spitting on them. (Mathieu Theriault/CBC)

Clint Crabtree, president of ATU Local 279, said while he's heard from members that barriers put a stop to more extreme examples of passenger hostility, riders have found other ways to take out their frustrations.

"Now that they can't spit at the operator, they're spitting at the shield," he said. "The aggression is still there, and the aggression may be worse than it was before the pandemic."

The shields should only be one part of a broader strategy to protect drivers, saidCrabtree, who'd like to see transit enforcement officers be more visible on buses and at stations.

He said that wouldshow passengers that assaults of any kind will not be tolerated.

"Nobody wants to go to work and have to endure that type of abuse," he said. "It's just unacceptable and it needs to stop."