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HR 6635

Bus Operator Safety and Security Act

119th Congress Introduced by Tom Barrett and 23 co-sponsors

Requires new fixed-route buses funded federally to have a floor-to-ceiling operator barrier, two years after enactment; unions may waive per bus; raises cost for agencies.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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Bill Summary · HR 6635

Summary of H.R. 6635 — Bus Operator Safety and Security Act

Purpose

The Bus Operator Safety and Security Act aims to enhance safety and security for fixed-route bus operators by requiring a protective barrier in new fixed-route buses purchased with federal funds. The bill updates federal transportation safety provisions to address operator safety concerns and potential threats or hazards faced by bus operators.

Key Provisions

  • New safety requirement for operator workstations (Section 5329, added subsection (f)):
    • Starting two years after enactment, and with limited certification waivers, the operator workstation in new fixed-route buses must include a barrier.
    • Scope:
    • Applies to new fixed-route buses that are 30 feet or longer and have a useful life of 10 years or more, purchased with Federal funds (excluding certain 5311 funds).
    • Barrier specifications:
    • The barrier must reach from the bus floor to the bus ceiling.
    • The barrier must fully enclose the operator workstation to prevent entry by persons, fluids, or objects.
    • The barrier must not impede the operator’s line of sight to the exterior of the bus.
    • Waiver/Certification:
    • A recipient can avoid the barrier requirement if a labor organization representing the plurality of frontline workforce (or, if applicable, a contractor’s workforce) agrees to waive the requirement for the specific new bus being purchased with Federal funds.
    • If no such waiver is obtained, the barrier must be installed as described.
  • Administrative changes:
    • Subsections (f) through (k) are redesignated (g) through (l), respectively, in Section 5329 to accommodate the new subsection and related provisions.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Public transit agencies and recipients of federal funds for purchasing new fixed-route buses meeting the size and life-span criteria.
  • Labor organizations representing frontline transit workers (and, where applicable, contractors’ frontline workers) who may opt to waive the barrier requirement for a particular bus.
  • Bus manufacturers and suppliers (to the extent they must implement the barrier design in eligible buses).

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Enactment timeline: The safety barrier requirement becomes effective two years after the date of enactment.
  • Funding context: Applies to buses purchased with Federal funds, with a carve-out for funds derived from Section 5311 in determining eligibility.
  • Legislative status:
    • Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 11, 2025.
    • Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the same day.

Potential Impact

  • Improved operator protection by providing a physical barrier that reduces exposure to external hazards while maintaining visibility.
  • Possible increased purchase cost and design considerations for new buses meeting the barrier requirement.
  • Greater involvement of labor unions in waiving the requirement on specific bus purchases, balancing safety with workforce agreements.
  • Clarification and modernization of safety standards for federal transit funding programs.

This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and does not account for amendments that may be adopted during the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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