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SamTrans > News Archive > SamTrans Presents Annual Safety Awards
SamTrans Presents Annual Safety Awards
Safety, a daily habit for SamTrans bus operators and maintenance employees, was in the
spotlight at a recent board meeting when the directors presented the annual Safety
Award. The district’s two operations and maintenance facilities, located at the
northern and southern ends of the county, go head-to-head each year in a friendly
competition for the award.
The operations team at the South Base facility, located in San Carlos, won the Safety
Award for driving an average of more than 92,788 miles between preventable accidents.
Bus operators at the district’s North Base facility in South San Francisco drove an
average of more than 84,245 between preventable accidents.
North Base maintenance employees won the award for working 77,440 hours with only two
injuries. The competition in the Maintenance Department, which cleans and maintains a
fleet of 281 buses and 63 paratransit vehicles, was particularly close. Mechanics and
utility workers at the San Carlos maintenance center worked 56,538 hours with only
five injuries.
“SamTrans takes safety seriously,” said Chief Operations Officer Chuck Harvey.
“Safety is the cornerstone of providing high-quality service to the public.”
The district uses weekly safety meetings, “shop talks” with maintenance employees and
random “ride checks” to encourage an open dialog on safety in the workplace. A
special committee made up of representatives from Risk Management, Training, Bus
Operations and the Amalgamated Transit Union reviews accidents and develops strategies
to reduce accidents.
In addition to providing continuous safety training for its employees, SamTrans also
is making use of new technologies that enhance safety. For example, the district’s
bus simulator, which gives operators behind-the-wheel experience, is the only such
training device west of the Mississippi. Light-emitting diode exterior lights reduce
accidents by improving visibility for other drivers. Computer-controlled diagnostics
identify maintenance problems before service is required. And, ergonomically designed
seats for bus operators reduce fatigue.
SamTrans provides bus service throughout San Mateo County and into parts of San
Francisco and Palo Alto. Last year, 14,422,592 riders took a SamTrans bus to work,
to shop or to go about their daily activities.
The transit district also offers Redi-Wheels paratransit service for persons with
disabilities who are unable to ride SamTrans. The district also provides shuttles
that link transit centers with major employment sites; is the managing agency for the
San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which administers the expenditure of
Measure A funds; and, is a partner in Caltrain rail service and the BART extension to
Millbrae.
3/21/05
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