Transit Dangers Are Scaring Away Riders. Will Transit Authorities Do Anything about It?

Although the state and federal government have pumped billions of dollars into California transit agencies during and after the COVID pandemic, ridership remains well below 2019 levels. One barrier to getting riders back on transit is the perception that riding buses and trains is no longer safe. Transit safety became a major issue at LA Metro's April 25th board meeting after a passenger was fatally stabbed on a metro train. Agency staff had originally sought an emergency declaration to accelerate procurement of barriers to protect bus operators, but board members expanded the discussion to include passenger safety as well. Reports of increased transit violence are not unique to LA Metro: reports of crime on California transit systems extend from San Diegoto multiple Bay Area counties. Like LA, SamTrans in San Mateo County is also planning to install barriers to protect bus operators.