Board Seeks Drug Tests of Bus Firm Employees

Concern over a string of RTD bus accidents prompted the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to order a plan requiring all transit companies doing business with the county to implement mandatory drug testing for their employees.

But it was unclear whether the Southern California Rapid Transit District itself would be bound by the board’s action because two small summertime contracts that the district had with the county recently expired. It was also doubtful that the county could require broad-based drug testing of any RTD employees not actually involved in the county-financed work if the two contracts are renewed.

The supervisors, expressing dismay at the rash of publicized RTD bus accidents, voted 4 to 1 to order new drug testing clauses in about two dozen existing contracts with eight cities and a number of private companies. The contract amendments are expected to return to the board for final approval in about two weeks.

Supervisor Ed Edelman dissented in Tuesday’s vote, expressing concern over the costs and the veracity of drug testing.

The board majority, led by Supervisor Pete Schabarum, made it clear, however, that it wanted to proceed immediately, with Schabarum accusing Edelman at one point of “filibustering” the issue. The supervisors’ action is a direct outgrowth of two highly publicized accidents last spring in which two drivers were found to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Tuesday’s action would affect about $3 million worth of contracts with a number of cities and private companies providing mostly unscheduled neighborhood service to the elderly or handicapped. In two other contracts, totaling about $600,000, the RTD provided summertime shuttle service to the Hollywood Bowl and increased bus runs along Pacific Coast Highway north to Leo Carillo Beach.

Those two RTD contracts expired last month, said Ron Ornee, a spokesman for the county Public Works Department. He added that the services would resume next June if the contracts were renewed.

A major question remains over the impact on the RTD and whether the board’s action will lead to a toughening of the RTD’s recently adopted drug-testing policy for district employees. Under that program, drivers involved in on-duty accidents, displaying erratic behavior or excessive absences and tardiness can be required to undergo a drug test.

But the RTD policy does not require mandatory drug testing of all employees. An RTD spokesman said after the supervisors’ vote that since no contract with the county currently exists, the district would have no immediate comment on the mandatory programs ordered by the supervisors.

Most Express Willingness

Public Works spokesman Ornee said that all 24 transit companies holding county contracts have been contacted about the proposed changes and for the most part expressed willingness to participate. He said that one San Gabriel Valley area contractor was initially reluctant to adopt a testing program, but has since decided to cooperate with the county.

Ornee said most of the county contracts are with so-called dial-a-ride services that transport handicapped or elderly citizens in 11- or 16-passenger vans. He added that he is not aware of any drug-related accidents involving those services.

Under the county plan, officials will outline the expected type of drug testing and its frequency, Ornee said. He added that a number of cities, such as Los Angeles and Culver City, which subcontract with private companies, would be expected to work out the details with those firms.