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Tucson council directs written transit safety plan after months of operator and rider complaints
Summary
After a staff presentation documenting graffiti, loitering and drug use at multiple bus stops, Tucson Mayor and Council voted to send a written transit safety and security action plan back to council (staff deadline discussed at 30–60 days). The plan prioritizes hotspot deployments, operator protections, outreach partnerships and possible RTA Next funding.
Mayor and Council voted Wednesday to direct city staff to prepare a formal written transit safety and security action plan after Transportation and Mobility staff and Tucson Police Department officials described widespread problems across Sun Tran routes and at transit centers.
Director Sam Bridal and Planning & Programming Administrator Patrick Hartley presented photos and data showing vandalism, encampment remnants and repeated incidents at stops such as Fort Lowell/Country Club, Speedway/Alvernon and Prince/Oracle. Chief Kuzma (TPD) told the council that open-air drug use, loitering and vandalism have driven the biggest safety concerns for operators and riders.
Staff said Sun Tran currently contracts nearly 1,000 security hours per week and spends about $1.5 million annually on private guards; shelter cleaning and repairs cost just over $1 million a year. Operator…
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