TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson city councilmembers discussed a $2.15 million Transit Safety and Security Action Plan on Tuesday, June 9, addressing years of concerns about violence and safety on the city’s public bus system.
The draft proposal includes funding for existing programs like special duty deployments, bus stop cleaning crews, and contracted security guards. New additions include expanded lighting at bus stops, added cameras and panic buttons, and barrier improvements for operator safety.
“We’re aware that there are several challenges out there from a safety perspective for riders, for operators,” said Andy Bemis, deputy director of the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility. “A lot of the stuff’s not new; some of it’s new, but we have a renewed focus on trying to make that one of the priorities.”
Transit ambassadors to connect riders with services
The plan allocates nearly $300,000 for transit ambassadors, a program intended to connect community safety officers with riders in need of social services…