The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will install driver safety barriers on all HART buses and HARTFlex vans.
The move comes after HART bus driver Thomas Dunn was killed in May. A passenger was arrested for Dunn’s murder and it was reported that the bus Dunn operated the day he was killed did not have a protective barrier between him and his alleged murderer.
HART previously announced it would be installing cameras on its vehicles and the estimated cost for each barrier to be installed on its buses and vans is $5,000; HART has allocated $1 million toward the safety barrier project.
"HART has been working with the ATU over the past few weeks to enhance the safety of the driver compartment and implement a solution that works for our employees. I am happy to announce that we have reached an agreement," said HART CEO Ben Limmer. "The safety and security of our employees remains a priority at HART as they serve our customers with the highest level of professionalism."
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1593 is in support of the barrier installation on the buses and vans. The ATU and HART have mutually agreed to a custom-fit protective barrier with extended tempered glass to cover the operator space.
"Following the senseless passing of one of our own, we voiced our concerns, and would like to thank HART leadership for listening to us," said ATU International Vice President Curtis Howard. "We are working together to take immediate action to ensure that our operator-members are safe and that a tragedy like that never happens again."
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority announced earlier this week that it would install safety barriers on all of its buses.
