Bus Operator Safety and Security Act

Summary

Requires most new federally funded fixed‑route buses 30 feet or longer (with useful life 10+ years) to be built with a full‑height, floor‑to‑ceiling enclosed operator workstation barrier that blocks unwanted entry of people, objects, and fluids while preserving the driver’s exterior sight lines. The rule applies to buses purchased with Federal funds (except funds provided under 49 U.S.C. §5311) beginning two years after enactment. Recipients of Federal funds may avoid the requirement only if the labor organization representing the plurality of the frontline or contractor workforce certifies it has agreed to waive the barrier requirement for that purchase. The change is implemented by adding a new provision to 49 U.S.C. §5329 and renumbering adjacent subsections.

• Most new federally funded fixed‑route buses 30+ ft with a 10+ year useful life must include full‑height operator barriers.
• Barriers must fully enclose the operator area, block people/fluids/objects, and preserve exterior sight lines.
• Requirement applies to buses purchased with Federal funds, but not to purchases funded under 49 U.S.C. §5311.
• The rule takes effect for purchases made two years after enactment.
• Recipients can avoid the requirement only with a written waiver certified by the labor organization representing the plurality of frontline or contractor workers.
• The change is implemented by adding a new requirement to the federal transit safety statute (49 U.S.C. §5329).
• The law targets new procurements; it does not require retrofits of in‑service buses or create new appropriations.