Bill Summary
The "Bus Operator Safety and Security Act" is a piece of legislation aimed at enhancing safety measures for bus operators in fixed route public transportation. It amends Title 49 of the United States Code to establish specific requirements for operator workstations in new fixed route buses that are 30 feet or longer and purchased with federal funding.
Key provisions include:
1. **Operator Workstation Barrier**: Within two years of the law's enactment, new buses must have a barrier that:
- Extends from the floor to the ceiling of the bus.
- Fully encloses the operator’s workstation to prevent unauthorized access and protect against potential hazards such as fluids and objects.
- Allows the operator to maintain clear visibility outside the bus.
2. **Labor Organization Waiver**: The requirement for the workstation barrier can be waived if a labor organization representing the majority of the frontline workforce agrees to the waiver.
Overall, this legislation seeks to improve safety and security for bus operators, thereby contributing to safer public transportation environments.
Possible Impacts
The "Bus Operator Safety and Security Act" outlined in the legislation can affect people in the following ways:
1. **Increased Safety for Bus Operators**: By mandating the installation of barriers that fully enclose the operator workstation, the legislation enhances the safety of bus operators. This design is aimed at preventing unwanted entry of individuals, fluids, and objects into the workstation, which can reduce the risk of assaults and distractions, leading to a safer working environment for operators.
2. **Improved Public Transportation Experience**: With the implementation of these safety features, bus operators may experience less stress and distraction while driving. This can lead to improved focus on their driving duties, potentially resulting in safer and more reliable public transportation for passengers. A more secure bus environment can also foster a sense of safety among riders, encouraging more people to use public transit.
3. **Economic Implications for Transit Agencies**: The requirement for new buses to be equipped with these safety barriers may lead to increased costs for transit agencies that rely on federal funding. While the initial investment may be higher, it could also result in long-term savings by reducing the frequency of accidents or incidents involving operators and potentially lowering insurance costs. However, agencies will need to balance these costs with their budgets, which could affect service levels or lead to fare increases for riders.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6635 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6635
To amend title 49, United States Code, to set requirements for certain
operator workstations for fixed route buses, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 11, 2025
Mr. Figures (for himself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to set requirements for certain
operator workstations for fixed route buses, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bus Operator Safety and Security
Act''.
SEC. 2. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROGRAM.
Section 5329 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as
subsections (g) through (l), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Fixed Route Bus Operator Workstations.--Beginning 2 years
after the date of enactment of this subsection, unless a recipient
certifies that a labor organization representing the plurality of the
frontline workforce employed by the recipient or, if applicable,
employed by a contractor to the recipient, has agreed to waive this
requirement with regard to the new fixed route bus being purchased with
the requested Federal funds, the operator workstation of any new fixed
route bus which is 30 or more feet in length with a useful life of 10
or more years purchased with Federal funds (with the exception of funds
derived from section 5311) by a recipient shall be equipped with a
barrier that--
``(1) reaches from the bus floor to the bus ceiling;
``(2) is capable of fully enclosing the workstation and
preventing the unwanted entry of persons, fluids, and objects
into the workstation; and
``(3) does not impede the operator's lines of sight from
the workstation to the exterior of the bus.''.
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