Reported impacts and workplace needs of transit operators related to passenger drug misuse on transit vehicles

OBJECTIVE: Transit operators have reported health effects and safety concerns from drug misuse occurring on public transit vehicles in the Pacific Northwest (USA). As transit operators are essential to providing safe and reliable transportation to their communities, it is important to investigate these impacts and methods to control these hazards. METHODS: Qualitative interviews of 19 transit operators (WA, OR) explored operators' experiences, risk perceptions, impacts, and needs related to passenger drug use. RESULTS: Interviewees identified various impacts to health and well-being, including physical health effects, mental health outcomes, and emotional effects. Operators reported lacking support from their agencies, and highlighted engineering controls as a need that is currently unfulfilled. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation and implementation of interventions to control this hazard may be effective in improving operator health and well-being, and in ensuring that transit systems can continue to serve communities.