Federal law now requires protective barriers for bus drivers
H.R. 6635 — Bus Operator Safety and Security Act · Filed by Shomari Figures (D-AL) · 27 cosponsors · Introduced Dec 11, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill requires that new large fixed-route buses purchased with federal transit funds must have a protective barrier around the driver's workstation—a floor-to-ceiling enclosure that shields the operator from assault, bodily fluids, and projectiles while preserving sightlines. The requirement takes effect 2 years after enactment, but can be waived if the labor union representing the majority of the transit agency's frontline workers agrees.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is a mandatory safety standard for a specific occupational hazard (bus operator assault). It is a straightforward protective regulation, not a subsidy, deregulation, or carve-out.
What the text implies
- Barrier design and installation costs will be borne by transit agencies and bus manufacturers; agencies may pass costs to riders or seek additional federal funding.
- Labor waiver mechanism gives unions effective veto power over safety standards for their members, which could create disparities across transit systems depending on union strength.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
bus manufacturers (barrier design and installation contracts); safety equipment suppliers