After introducing stricter penalties to protect transit, airport and light rail workers, the bill received widespread bipartisan support, acknowledging the heightened workplace risks that public transit workers face while on the job. It also gained endorsement from various labor unions and organizations such as Teamsters Local 104 in Phoenix, which emphasized the necessity of safer workplace conditions. 

The legislation was introduced partly in response to an increase in violent incidents involving transit workers. Reports of assaults against drivers, security guards and other personnel with objects such as guns, rocks and knives have become prevalent over the past year. 

Now that the bill has officially been passed into law, public transit drivers who are part of Phoenix Labor Union Teamsters 104 feel that they have an extra layer of protection while on the job. 

“Drivers do feel that they have more protection for them,” said Dawn Schumann, political coordinator for Teamsters 104. “If something were to happen and they got assaulted, they know that that person cannot return to that vehicle. They have that new protection now.” 

Schumann added that the Teamsters Union had been fighting since 2015 to make progress on the bill. 

“It's been almost ten years, so that’s why we pushed so hard to get it passed this time around,” said Schumann. 

Since 2023, Phoenix residents have pressed and petitioned the City Council to improve the security of  Valley Metro Light Rail trains, with many frequent riders claiming that the environment was too dangerous. Security was often only on the train about 50% of the time, and rarely checked tickets.

23-year-old Valley Metro security guard Kevin just recently learned about the passing of H.B. 2742.

 “There are some scary people on the trains, especially at night. I don't know if they’re strapped either. I don’t want to get shot or stabbed at.” Kevin said. 

When asked if he felt safer now that the law was in place, he said “Yes, definitely.” 

Despite the recurrent incidents of violent passengers that public transit workers have to face, businesses such as Valley Metro, which provides the Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa areas with bus and train services, have been making changes to their operations with the intent to make rides safer for public transportation users. 

Valley Metro Transit Security Manager Don Schneidmiller says that they are working to bring a prevalent security presence back onto the trains, where they will be more vigilant about checking riders’ tickets in addition to deterring violent crime. 

“The safety of our passengers and employees is our top priority,” said Schneidmiller.