urbanMSP

I think it would be worth it to point out to anyone who might criticize it that they could have gotten downtown anytime either actually paying for fares, or driving (Because just because they likely had been drinking, doesn't mean they won't drive, of course). It certainly has more to do with St. Patrick's day than free transit rides.

Transit on Transit Crime:

1 passenger killed, others hurt in collision of Duluth city buses
http://www.startribune.com/local/299688151.html

PiPress articles plays up fact that mugging included Green Line getaway.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_ ... -assailant

I saw that on the UofM crime alert, and thought "oh brother."

Sent from my phone

Jesus Christ the Pioneer Press website is hot garbage

Metro Transit Driver Sentenced For Soliciting Pregnant Teen On Bus
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/01/2 ... en-on-bus/

Wow.

Metro Transit Driver Sentenced For Soliciting Pregnant Teen On Bus
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/01/2 ... en-on-bus/

Wow.

Ex Metro Transit driver.

Bus driver attacked. "Possibly life altering injuries".

http://m.startribune.com/several-teens- ... 374407091/

Northstar train vandalized by graffiti while in Big Lake maintenance yard.

http://www.startribune.com/northstar-ra ... 380407811/

Coon Rapids strip mall owners want to 'immediately discontinue' popular bus stop
Loitering, property rights issues arise at well-used but unofficial drop-off point for riders at Riverdale Crossing shopping center.

http://www.startribune.com/coon-rapids- ... 381726321/

"Unofficial" because Anoka county hates buses so much the buses must use private property, the public property gets to be used for free flowing cars.

This poor accommodation to buses is what exurban GOP loves about buses, it's easy to screw over.

Bus drivers worry about assaults. In 2015, last year, driver assaults rose 21% from 73 in 2014 to 88 assaults.

http://www.startribune.com/on-the-front ... 393001551/

Some discussion on retrofitting buses to have safety glass like train operators and cabbies have.

Plexiglass "driver shields" are a thing on numerous other transit systems. In addition to protecting a driver from heinous things like assault or getting spit on, I believe it would also decrease accidents (fewer customer distractions while driving) and very slightly improve on-time performance (fewer folks would ask questions or carry on lengthy conversations with the drivers)

Bus driver attacked, filmed on video and posted.

http://www.startribune.com/metro-transi ... 479467663/

Arrest made, suspect jailed until hearing.

http://www.startribune.com/man-charged- ... 480145403/

Another bus driver attacked in Minneapolis.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/04/2 ... bus-driver

Another bus driver attacked in Minneapolis.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/04/2 ... bus-driver

Bus Drivers are assaulted more than you think. The last two was caught on video so TV love that.

Another bus driver attacked in Minneapolis.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/04/2 ... bus-driver

Bus Drivers are assaulted more than you think. The last two was caught on video so TV love that.

I understand that. I should have said another attack caught on video.

Bus driver is attacked by a group of assailants in broad daylight on Nicollet Mall. But remember, everything's fine downtown!

I can't say I've ever seen a Mpls Police officer walking along Nicollet Mall. I've seen squads and officers on bike, but never walking along the Mall. (With the exception of the SuperBowl)