Municipal Shuttle Bus Runs Over Morning Commuter

Case Overview

This case involves a commuter who was run over by a municipal shuttle bus that was en route to a train station around 7:45 am. The commuter was running late and saw the bus arrive at the stop. As he approached the bus, the driver shut the doors in his face. The commuter knocked on the doors to try to get the bus driver to reopen the bus, but the driver pulled away, knocking the commuter over. He was rushed to the hospital but died in transit from his injuries. An expert in bus safety was sought to speak to the proper operation of these vehicles as well as the training operators should receive with regards to the safety of bystanders and passengers.

Questions to the Transportation expert and their responses

Please describe your experience in the operation and training of buses.

I have been driving buses for 33+ years and have been a bus driving instructor for 17 years, operating school buses, transit/shuttle buses, and motorcoaches up to 45' long. As the safety manager for a charter bus operation, I am responsible for vetting all potential applicants prior to hiring. I have engaged in cases involving transit-style buses loading passengers and then pulling away before passengers were seated.

What type of training should operators receive with regards to using tools like their mirrors?

Two of the most important concepts to keep in mind when departing a stop is awareness of the 12-foot danger zone around the bus and a proper five-point mirror check.

What are the protocols a bus driver should heed when pulling out of a pickup area?

When departing a stop, it's important for a driver to slowly pull away from the curb and to check both left and right mirrors, both for possible obstructions and for people who are doing exactly what the plaintiff in this case did. While his actions were not safe, they are one of the common errors made by people attempting to get the bus driver's attention and are to be expected by any driver, particularly in a busy area.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of experience in the field of bus safety and operations. He is a state-certified bus driving instructor and is trained in the fundamentals of bus collision investigation by the United States Department of Transportation. This expert previously served as a school bus driver for the San Diego Unified School District. He also formerly served as a motorcoach operator at Mark IV Charter Lines, as a dispatcher and transit bus operator at Aztec Bus Lines, and as a motorcoach operator at Sundance Stage Lines. This expert currently serves as a safety manager for a bus chartering service in California, where he oversees corporate safety management protocols and ensures employee compliance with these policies.