An apparent sick-out by dozens of LA Metro bus drivers over driver safety issues caused delays on Friday, May 3 on at least 41 bus lines, mostly in downtown Los Angeles, South L.A., southern and western Los Angeles County, Hollywood, Long Beach and the South Bay, according to LA Metro and other sources.
The information regarding the apparent wildcat action comes from LA Metro rider alerts posted on social media and their own website, as well as statements from the transit agency, including one that asked drivers to stay on the job and not call in sick for the sake of transit-dependent riders.
Metro called the action “an unsanctioned Sick Out” that initially affected 19 out of 120 bus lines, said Dave Sotero, Metro spokesman, in an emailed response early Friday afternoon. That number by late afternoon grew to 41 lines or one-third of all lines. None of the lines were missing their stops, but Metro bus customers were experiencing 10-15 minute delays of service on the affected lines, Sotero said.
The reason for the sick-out stems from recent attacks on operators, often by transients. Bus drivers have been spit on, kicked, punched and have been the victims of more violent assaults, which led to rumors of the sick-out spreading late Thursday night in an effort to draw attention to demands for safer working conditions.
Update 4:20pm
We may have delays thru 7pm on following bus lines due to staff shortages: 2, 10, 18, 20, 28, 40, 45, 48, 53, 66, 70, 76, 78, 81, 90, 92, 94, 105, 108, 110, 111, 115, 117, 127, 180, 182, 204, 206, 207, 210, 211, 212, 215, 217, 251, 260, 344, 487, 550, 910, 950 pic.twitter.com/A3lWSUfO3U
— LA Metro Rider Alerts (@metrolaalerts) May 3, 2024
According to LA Metro social media posts, the number of affected lines grew throughout Friday, from about 14 to 41. The lines include those going from Pasadena to Hollywood, the line in Eagle Rock, the line from Hollywood to the Westside, the line through Inglewood, the El Monte Busway, the lines in…
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