The City of Greater Sudbury is trying to better protect transit drivers.
City staff is recommending a pilot project to install a barrier compartment designed to protect bus operators from being physically assaulted.
The city plans to equip one bus with an operator compartment barrier that all city transit drivers will have an opportunity to test.
The new strategy is in response to a serious knife attack made on a Sudbury bus driver last May that required the worker to get stitches on his wrist.
Transit users were asked what they think of the protection effort for bus drivers and most were in favour of the effort.
“They should be protected, well protected.” said one rider.
“I think there is some rude riders, so I guess maybe they do need a little protection.” said another.
CUPE is the union that represents local transit drivers and says it fully supports the pilot project, calling it long overdue.
There are currently 125 transit drivers who cover 36 routes in the City of Greater Sudbury.
