Protective screens are soon to be rolled-out in South Australia in an effort to protect bus drivers from violent and anti-social passenger behaviour.
Designed to stay in place when pulled, stainless-steel and polycarbonate screens will be installed on 940 Adelaide Metro buses over four years.
The screen is designed so as not to become detached if yanked or wrenched and will ensure drivers are shielded from violent and unruly passengers while also ensuring adequate vison to mirrors, doors and windscreen.
Bus services will continue to run as usual during the rollout with high-risk areas set to receive the screens first.
Seven different screen designs were trialled on over 40 buses, with two shortlisted options then installed on buses at each depot.
The final design was chosen at the result of extensive negotiations with key stakeholders and feedback supplied by drivers via QR code.
With a prototype now out to market, the SA government is tendering for a supplier to install the screens.
All government-owned buses are currently fitted with a three-quarter driver screen.