Detroit Buses Installing Safety Barriers Amid Coronavirus

DETROIT, MI — The Detroit Department of Transportation is installing 288 safety barriers in its buses in order to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, officials announced this week.

The 288 barriers are expected to be completely installed in early 2021; 185 barriers have already been installed, Executive Director of Transit C. Mikel Oglesby and ATU Local 26 President Glenn Tolbert said. Officials said the installation paves the way for the department to resume fare collection in 2021 as well.

“When I met with bus drivers in March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of their greatest concerns was a lack of physical protection so we committed to installing these barriers by the end of this year,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “We consider our bus drivers among our city’s first responders and they deserve to have the protection they need and deserve.”

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DDOT began installing the bus barriers mid-October after Duggan announced the directive in June.

Installation of the Vapor vShield, a laminated safety glass door manufactured by Vapor Bus International, will provide added security, officials said. Barrier installation is conducted weekly on six-to-eight buses per day.

Oglesby said the barriers will serve to protect passengers, as well.

“We’re excited about the new barriers as part of our ongoing commitment to protect the bus operators and the riders,” Oglesby said. “With robust dialogue and collaboration with the stakeholders, DDOT will continue to improve upon the transit vision while providing safe and clean service.”

Once the project is completed, the barriers will allow passengers to board at the front of the bus again which will increase passenger capacity as we enter the colder months.

Fare collection expected to resume in 2021

Completing the installation of the protective barriers and allowing passengers to once again board from the front of the coach is the first step toward resuming the collection of bus fares, city officials said. Since March, passengers have been provided free trips because the farebox next to the driver has been off-limits.

“The barriers are an important piece in resuming fare collection, but not the only piece,” Oglesby said. “We still have to establish a safe way to resume use of the fareboxes, since many people may touch them between fare collection.”