BC Transit is starting a project this fall to improve safety for bus drivers.

The Crown corporation is spending $6.5 million to put driver doors on all full-sized busses. Spokesperson Jonathon Dyck says this project will change the interaction between drivers and customers.

“We know that drivers really appreciate that interaction with the customer and having that direct contact with the customer when they come on the bus and they’re able to talk to them. However, in the interest of driver safety, we also know that there’s drivers who would appreciate having those on board the bus. And we know as an organization that this is an important piece to improve safety on board the bus.”

Dyck says BC Transit will be retrofitting 650 busses with driver doors – including 47 in Kamloops – and all new busses put on the road starting this fall will also be equipped with those doors.

He says the project to bring in those driver doors will be finished by 2022.