Earlier this year, a teenager investigators say was stabbed to death by a Sacramento Regional Transit employee.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Regional Transit is putting another $1 million toward safety upgrades as employees report an increase in assaults while on the job.

Workers say the risks have escalated, from verbal attacks to riders coming at them with knives and guns. 

One employee told the Sacramento Regional Transit Board, “I have been assaulted, spit on. I had to protect myself.” 

Another said they are sometimes left alone for long stretches with uncooperative passengers “spitting on us, they are coming at us with knives. I have seen machetes, I have seen guns since I have been here.”

SacRT said the new funding reflects its commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for both riders and workers. The agency is finalizing how the money will be split, but said it will go toward hiring 10 more transit ambassadors, bringing the total to 50, while also  “provide a modest salary increase to support retention and recognize the critical role ambassadors play in customer service and system safety.” Also, adding two additional staff to monitor more than 2,000 surveillance cameras, and increasing the number of security guards across the system.

“I am very encouraged by the million dollar grant so to speak,” said Crystal McGee Lee, president of ATU Local 256. “My concern is making sure that it is allocated to the members and individuals, who have been on the bottom floor.”

McGee Lee said operators and ambassadors experience “at least two to three confrontations on average every day.” 

She wants to ensure frontline workers feel the impact of the investment. 

“I just want to make sure that those funds are not just solely focused on police units,” she said.

SacRT recently issued a permanent restraining order against a passenger after repeated safety violations. An official said they expect to issue more bans to protect employees, riders and the public.

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