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SFMTA says barriers and camera upgrades have cut operator assaults; Vision Zero update shows fatalities remain a concern
Summary
SFMTA reported completion of barriers on revenue vehicles and a pilot to add live video; staff said operator assaults fell and requested a $2.6M video modernization project. Vision Zero staff reported 20 traffic fatalities last year and 11 so far this year, urging continued funding for enforcement and education.
SFMTA briefed the Budget & Finance Committee on steps to improve operator safety and on Vision Zero priorities for the coming years.
SFMTA staff said barriers have been installed on all revenue buses and trolley coaches, with the lower door closed by policy and the upper door optional per operator preference; the agency reported that since installing barriers there have been "little to no" reports of operator assaults. Vehicles carry about 11–13 cameras each, but SFMTA is currently unable to stream live video from mobile vehicles to the Transit Management Center; the agency is piloting live video on two buses and proposed a $2,600,000 video modernization project to unify video platforms and enable real‑time viewing where feasible.
On Vision Zero, staff reported 20 traffic fatalities in the prior year and said 11 fatalities had occurred so far in the new year. The agency emphasized a mix of engineering, education and enforcement measures and listed 'transformative policies' including congestion management, automated speed enforcement, local regulation of transportation network companies, and urban speed‑setting changes to California code as levers to reduce fatalities.
Supervisors asked SFMTA to provide response‑time and cost metrics tied to operator incidents (time lost, replacement costs) and to coordinate data with SFPD for better deployment strategies. The committee also asked for more information about the pilot live‑video program’s timeline and evidence of its deterrent effects.
