State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, introduced legislation that would mandate public transit bus drivers receive physical examinations before they are allowed to drive.
Under current law, interstate and Wisconsin school bus drivers are required to pass physical examinations every two years. However, there are no medical examinations mandated for transit bus drivers.
Risser said public transportation drivers said this bill would make roads across Wisconsin safer.
“Occasional incidents involving loss of [consciousness] or other medical issues can occur and pose potentially serious consequences,” Risser said in the statement.
Risser said he hopes to receive Republican support but also said if the bill does not pass the legislature before the session ends, he will reintroduce it next session.
“Municipal transit drivers are important and are correctly considered safety-sensitive positions in Wisconsin communities,” Risser said in the statement.
