Safety and Security on the Bus
Be Informed
Become familiar with all emergency exits on the bus. This could include windows as well as ceiling hatches. Get to know transit personnel. Encourage others to listen to instructions from transit officials, especially in the event of an emergency.
Be Alert to People and Packages
Take note of suspicious activity. Report people who are:
- Loitering, staring or watching employees and passengers
- Pacing, nervous or jumpy
- Abandoning items and quickly departing
- Acting in a disorderly manner and disturbing others
- Photographing equipment in secure areas
- Carrying a weapon or appearing to have a weapon
- Wearing clothing that is extremely inappropriate for the weather (e.g. heavy coat on a hot day)
Be alert to unattended items that may be lost or left behind. Look for the following characteristics to report suspicious items to transit officials or police officers:
- Placement in an out-of-the-way location
- Attached batteries, wires, tanks, bottles or bags that might contain chemicals or explosives
- An item that matches something described in a threat or has a threatening note attached
- Smoke, mist, gas, vapor, odor or fluid seeping from a package or bag
- Individuals nearby showing signs of illness or distress
DO NOT TOUCH SUSPICIOUS ITEMS OR CONFRONT SOMEONE WITH SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR! Tell an RTS employee, police officer or call 911.
Be Prepared
When you're prepared, the result is an effective first line of defense against potential accidents and hazards, including natural or man-made disasters. Transit evacuation is rare and should take place only when directed by transit officials.
Follow these simple steps if ordered to evacuate:
Look. Listen. Leave.
Assistance
Your safety and security are important to us. We ask our customers to share this responsibility by following common sense. Follow your instinct: if something does not look right, let us know. And at any time that you feel you're in danger, lost or have observed something unusual, please notify the bus operator, a security supervisor or call 911 from your cell phone and then notify the bus operator.