B.C. Transit is rolling out plans to start retrofitting the larger buses in its fleet with protective tempered-glass doors to help keep drivers safe.
The $6.5-million project will see 650 high-capacity, heavy duty, and medium-sized buses around B.C. fitted with full driver doors produced by Arow Global Corp.
B.C. Transit staff will begin installing the doors in Victoria next month. Buses in Kelowna will get the doors in July, said Jonathon Dyck, B.C. Transit communications manager.
The remainder of the retrofitting schedule will be determined through the request for proposals process issued Tuesday. A decision was made to find an external partner for installation of the doors in the 28 other locations.
The installation contract will run for 14 months and B.C. Transit wants the option to extend it for an additional year, and, if needed, for up to three years.
Replacements for 113 high-capacity, heavy duty, and medium buses are expected in 2022, he said, and they will arrive with the driver doors already installed.
The agency also expects to have 350 buses added to the fleet over the next decade that will come with the full driver doors factory installed, he said.
Doors consist of transparent laminated tempered glass, creating a barrier between the driver seat and passengers.
They are part of a system “to improve bus operator safety and reduce conflicts,” B.C. Transit said in its request for proposals. The opportunity closes on Feb. 18. “Time is of the essence,” the request said.
B.C. Transit is putting in the doors following violent attacks on its operators, who lobbied for more protection.
Doors are not being installed on light-duty bus fleets or buses scheduled for retirement within the next two years.
Other safety measures on buses include closed-circuit television cameras and improved on-board communications technology.
