Due to safety concerns, some bus drivers of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) seem to be intentionally taking sick leave, causing potential delays on multiple bus routes in the city.
According to Metro, the following bus routes may experience delays due to a “shortage of manpower”: Routes 2, 4, 18, 20, 33, 40, 45, 53, 66, 70, 108, 110, 111, 115, 206, 212, and 720.
In a statement provided to KTLA, Metro acknowledged that bus drivers at the transit agency may be purposefully calling in sick on Fridays. Similar absenteeism is said to be a result of a series of violent attacks on its buses.
Metro issued an appeal to its drivers in the statement, stating, “Los Angeles County public transportation passengers rely on Metro’s buses and rail network every day to reach important destinations such as workplaces, schools, medical facilities, and to care for their friends and family.” “We urge our drivers to reconsider their sick leave plans and consider the impact on the most vulnerable populations in the county.”
Additionally, Metro warned non-compliant drivers that intentionally calling in sick would violate the agency’s collective bargaining agreement.
In the statement, Metro attributed safety issues on the city’s buses to “untreated mental illness and substance abuse” and pledged to reassign security personnel on buses to prevent attacks.
Just last week, LA Metro board member Kathryn Barger stated that she would not ride Metro buses alone: “I will not ride our transit system alone. I am afraid, even though I am a member of Metro, I will not ride it.”
These safety concerns arise in the wake of a series of attacks, including a fatal incident on April 22 in Studio City.
During that incident, a woman was attacked on a subway train on her way home from work, stabbed in the neck with a small knife, causing severe bleeding. The woman was taken to the hospital upon getting off the train and was later pronounced dead.
As of Friday morning, Metro had not issued any updates on the extent of potential delays on bus routes.