Bus operator summons SWAT team in LA bus hijacking

A gunman was taken into custody early today by a SWAT team following a fatal shooting and hijacking of a Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority (LACMTA) bus early this morning.

The bus operator used a panic button to alert authorities to the dangerous situation, according to General Chairperson John Ellis of GCA-875, which represents members of six SMART-TD transit union locals with LACMTA employees. “We praise the calm demeanor and heroic actions of the operator,” Ellis said.

Media reports say the bus driver, a SMART-TD Transit Union member, was held at gunpoint by the suspect. Our driver and a passenger were rescued by police after the hourlong incident. Another passenger was fatally wounded. The suspect was taken into police custody.

CNN, citing a deputy L.A. police chief, reported that the driver “was in relatively good spirits,” immediately after the incident.

“This grave incident emphasizes the continuing safety concerns that our members have raised and that we, your general committee, have vehemently expressed to Metro management,” Ellis said. “The protection of our members remains the very top priority of your union.” 

It was not known whether the hijacked LACMTA bus was equipped with new barricades called for by SMART-TD and approved by LACMTA board members earlier this year.

“We have been the driving force in Metro’s decision to install protective driver barriers aboard the buses. It should be noted that Metro promised us that they would complete installation of the barriers by the end of the year,” Ellis said. “In addition, recently, we strongly supported a Metro board motion to entirely revamp Metro’s police protection to better safeguard our members. This process has [already] begun.”

A similar LACMTA hijacking occurred in March of this year. SMART-TD called for barricades for drivers.

The SMART-TD Transit Union represents thousands of bus operators and rail workers for LACMTA, which serves 900,000 passengers daily. It is the third-largest transit agency in the U.S.

SMART Transportation Division Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Chairperson Christine Ivey is responding to the situation.