Questions asked by municipal councillors

Question by councillor Benoy concerning protective cabs for bus drivers employed by the City of Luxembourg.

Question posed by François Benoy

"Mayor Polfer,

On 13 January 2023, the <em>Comité de pilotage de sécurité dans les transports publics</em> (Public Transport Security Steering Committee) took place, bringing together all frontline stakeholders, including public transport operators, trade unions and the Grand Ducal Police. There has been an increase in assaults on bus drivers.

One way to increase the safety of bus drivers is to install protective cabs on buses. Currently 236 of the 1,045 buses operating under the new RGTR contract are equipped with a cab or screen.

In accordance with Article 9 of the Municipal Council's internal rules and regulations, I would therefore like to put the following questions to the College of Aldermen:

  • How many AVL buses are currently equipped with such cabs or screens?
  • Does the College of Aldermen intend to equip all AVL buses with such protective features? If so, then by when? If not, why not?

Yours sincerely,

François Benoy

Municipal councillor for déi gréng Stad

Response provided by Mayor Lydie Polfer

"Councillor,

In response to your letter of 17 January 2023 concerning protective cabs for bus drivers employed by the City of Luxembourg, I am pleased to provide you with the following information:

Physical assaults on bus drivers on the City of Luxembourg's bus network have been declining in recent years. They have fallen by more than 50 % compared with previous years (2019 to 2022).

The City of Luxembourg's municipal buses are not equipped with cabs for drivers. Installing such enclosures could, in fact, make passengers feel less safe. What is more, they can also cause distracting glare for drivers. The staff delegation supports this approach. However, a specific action plan has been put in place to reduce the risk of assaults on bus drivers, namely: 

  • collaboration with the Grand Ducal Police (presence guaranteed within minutes)
  • regular checks by City inspectors
  • conflict management training for drivers
  • raising driver awareness of critical situations
  • direct contact via a telematics system between the driver and the AVL control centre.

In addition, the buses are equipped with an emergency button and a reporting system linking frontline staff with management to help identify high-risk routes, individuals and locations.

We have also decided to equip all buses with a video surveillance system.

This response is being provided pursuant to Article 25 of the municipal law, and Article 9 of the City of Luxembourg municipal council's internal rules and regulations of 13 May 2013 and, as such, shall be considered as equivalent to a written reply to the question that was asked. It will be published in the minutes and on the City of Luxembourg website.

Article 13, paragraph 3 of the Municipal Law establishes that each member of the Municipal Council, acting in their individual capacity, shall enjoy the right of initiative to add to the agenda drawn up by the College of Aldermen one or more proposals that they wish to submit to the Municipal Council.

Such proposals must be submitted to the mayor in the form of a written reasoned request at least three days before the meeting of the Municipal Council.