I'd like to share the response I received from Ellen McLean, Port Authority CEO, after this week's court hearing:
Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention and the attention of Chief McCauley. I assure you that safety is Port Authority’s top organizational priority and one that we take very seriously.
Port Authority’s bus operator training course and bus operator training manual address adherence to all traffic laws and ensuring that buses safely share the road with other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, when Pennsylvania’s safe passing law went into effect in 2012, management posted (and maintain to this day) prominent posters in each of our operating garage locations. The posters advise bus operators of the 4-foot passing law and include other safety tips and guidance relative to safely sharing the road with buses.
In light of the concerns that you have raised and those Magistrate King raised during yesterday’s hearing, however, I have instructed Port Authority’s Chief Operations Officer to communicate with his garage management, and instruction and training personnel, to ensure that Operator Miller and all bus operators are properly reminded of the 4-foot passing law. Additionally, this information will be shared with and reiterated to the union leadership that represents Port Authority’s bus operators during monthly safety review meetings.
Relative to the concern that you have raised about the police dispatcher, Chief McCauley assures me that he has counseled the dispatcher, and all other dispatchers, to ensure they understand the 4-foot passing law. He also reinforced that all calls to Port Authority Police dispatch alleging a violation of traffic laws or other laws should be directed to a police supervisor or assigned police officer for proper review and response.
Again, thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention and for your diligence in reporting the incident to the Port Authority Police.
We'll see. I'll be curiously watching for a change in behavior, although not holding my breath...
ajbooth
2015-01-09 08:32:37
Wow, I hope she's sincere. I have had many good interactions with bus drivers over the years both as a driver and a cyclist. But I've also had quite a few (especially as a cyclist) that could have easily ended in my death. These drivers need to know that.
marko82
2015-01-09 10:54:11
This incident WILL make a differnce in behavoior. I'm confident of that.
I trust it will be a small, temporary, incremental change, but, who knows? It might save a life.
mick
2015-01-09 13:08:14
Impressive. I haven't had a garage tour in a while, but next time I do, I'll look for such signs.
stuinmccandless
2015-01-09 13:27:34
I was heading south on Denniston trying to cross Forbes around 9:30 am this morning. A bus heading east stopped and waved me across in front of him. Nice gesture on his part.
helen-s
2015-01-09 21:23:37
whenever group rides start back up, someone should invite McLean and Chief McCauley to join in and find out how operators actually treat cyclists, especially in groups.
(btw, while I'm at it, Chief McLay of the city police has already expressed his interest in and receptiveness to receiving such an invitation as well...)
epanastrophe
2015-01-10 19:19:07
