Security Tips | American Bus Association

BISC Security Tips

Bus companies are encouraged to adopt these safety and security measures from the Transportation Security Administration. Download Document

Facilities

  • Conduct a risk assessment of company facilities including exterior, internal, employees, and bus safety.
  • Provide company photo IDs to all employees
  • Control access to non-public facilities by non employees, vendors, etc.
  • Establish designated employee parking areas
  • Establish video surveillance systems for facilities
  • Establish or hire a security force.

Drivers

  • Companies may consider developing standards that would address on-road coach security and fully support driver security decisions made with regard to passenger ejections, refusal to board and other decisions made on the coach.
  • Provide company IDs to all drivers (photo ID preferred).
  • Enhance driver pre-trip announcements and procedures to include a check of the fire extinguisher for tampering, clearing bins of all personal affects at destinations, and notification to passengers that terrorist acts on mass transportation systems are now a Federal crime. (A standard script will be developed by the Safety Council in conjunction with Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration.)
  • Establish driver walk-around inspections at all stops with receipts showing inspection has been completed.
  • Establish driver communication systems that may include: cellular phones, GPS units, en-route check in, and “panic” buttons.

Equipment

  • Secure baggage bay doors at all times when not attended by company personnel. Door securement to be included in walk-around driver inspection.
  • When developed, install driver activated external trouble indicator light for motorcoaches that will alert others to problems within the coach (standard color, light type and installed full length of coach.)
  • Install transparent divider that will sufficiently protect the driver’s back.
  • Install or use night lights to illuminate passenger compartment.
  • Avoid high-risk parking areas, look for well lit, locked, secure places to park motorcoach at all times.
  • Develop emergency response contingency planning for drivers.
  • Replace convex interior view mirror with flat, more realistic view mirror.
  • Install Global Positioning System emergency beacon that could be activated during an emergency.

Public Policy

  • Support the creation of a Federally funded Bus Marshal program as part of the Transportation Security Administration.
  • Establish random check procedures and conduct random passenger and baggage checks.
  • Prohibit the consumption of alcohol by passengers (including reserving the right to refuse service if passenger appears intoxicated).
  • Work with state and local law enforcement to eliminate the use of motorcoaches to remove undesirables from their jurisdictions.
  • Prohibit dangerous goods on motorcoaches in the passenger compartment (guns, knives, mace, etc.) Signage to be developed by the Safety Council.
  • Designate an individual in each company with responsibility for all aspects of security.
  • Erect signs in boarding areas that notify public that terrorist acts on mass transportation systems are a Federal crime (recommended signage to be developed by the Safety Council).
  • Conduct company wide training to help employees identify and respond to potential threats.
  • Establish procedures that will link passengers and baggage (passengers should not check baggage and fail to board the coach).
  • Deny further ticketing services to ejected passengers.

The American Bus Association serves a thriving industry that provides nearly 600 million passenger trips annually on charters, tours, scheduled service, and shuttles. Membership in ABA includes motorcoach operators, tour operators, tourism-related organizations, and products and service suppliers.

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