John Reed (D-RI)
Bus Operator Safety and Security Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4478)
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Bus Operator Safety and Security Act," aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code. It focuses on setting specific requirements for operator workstations on certain fixed route buses. Specifically, it targets new fixed route buses that are 30 or more feet in length with a useful life of 10 years or more. These requirements apply to buses purchased with Federal funds, excluding those from section 5311. The bill introduces a mandate for a specific type of barrier within the workstation.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The bill enhances safety standards for fixed-route bus operators through workstation barrier requirements.
- Scored +5
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill allows labor organizations to negotiate waivers for safety requirements.
- Scored +3
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The bill grants labor organizations the power to waive safety requirements for specific bus purchases.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Protection for Operators: The bill requires a barrier that is capable of fully enclosing the workstation and preventing the unwanted entry of persons, fluids, and objects (Section 2). This could provide a higher level of safety and security for those driving the buses.
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Maintained Visibility for Safety: The required barrier must not impede the operator's lines of sight from the workstation to the exterior of the bus (Section 2). This ensures that while the operator is protected, they can still clearly see their surroundings to operate the vehicle safely.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Labor Organization Exceptions: A recipient can bypass these new requirements if a labor organization representing the plurality of the frontline workforce agrees to waive the requirement for a specific bus purchase (Section 2). This means the new safety standard may not be applied to all new buses depending on labor agreements.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill enhances safety standards for fixed-route bus operators through workstation barrier requirements.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill allows labor organizations to negotiate waivers for safety requirements.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill grants labor organizations the power to waive safety requirements for specific bus purchases.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates specific equipment standards for buses purchased with Federal funds.
- 8/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4478)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri