Today's Most Popular Video
Jul 9, 2009 7:03 pm US/Central
Metro Transit Buses Continue To Run Red Lights
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
-
-
When Metro Transit was alerted about all the buses caught on tape running lights Wednesday, bulletins were immediately sent out to all 1,450 drivers, reminding them of intersection safety rules. (File)
CBS
Metro Transit managers said they took immediate steps to improve driver safety after WCCO-TV found buses running red lights at the intersection of Fourth Street South and Third Avenue in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday. Yet, on Thursday, WCCO-TV cameras caught three buses going through red lights at the same intersection in a five-minute span.
"What I just saw was an MTC bus and two cars go through a red light long after the light had turned green and the walk sign had happened in the other direction," said concerned pedestrian Mary Altman.
"I've made three complaints at this intersection to MTC and all three times to no avail," said another concerned pedestrian Diana Roman.
"I see that, the buses go across the intersections all the time -- yellow and red," said pedestrian Phil Schlesman.
When Metro Transit was alerted about all the buses caught on tape running lights Wednesday, bulletins were immediately sent out to all 1,450 drivers, reminding them of intersection safety rules. The bulletin reminds drivers to never run a red light in order to stay on schedule.
"I don't necessarily think we have a widespread safety issue but anytime there's the potential of running a red light that's a concern," said Metro Transit spokesperson Bob Gibbons.
Some district supervisors had meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday with drivers about red lights. Other supervisors monitored downtown intersections. Still, bus after bus continued to breeze through red lights.
"It's unfortunate that, you know, the drivers aren't heeding the word from up above," said Schlesman.
Gibbons said the additional safety education is an ongoing effort, in part because meeting with 1,450 drivers takes more than a day to accomplish.
Amalgamated Transit Union President Michelle Sommers, who represents the Metro Transit drivers, said safety is of course their top priority. However, with challenges of increased ridership and lack of funding for more buses, drivers feel pressure from the company to stay on time.
"The schedules are so tight for the bus drivers, unfortunately, once in a while, these things happen," Sommers said. "Though when you get called into the office every time you're running late, they're saying we need you to be on time."
Both sides agree that it is a violation to blatantly run a red light.
"A blatant red is not justified," said Sommers.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Letters To Santa Sent To Sex Offender?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
