Metro Vancouver Transit Police say they're pleased the Coast Mountain Bus Company has agreed to install Plexiglas barriers for drivers on a number of its buses later this year.

"The barriers would provide another tool for the much needed protection of bus operators, along with the on-board security cameras, global positioning radio systems (GPS), and emergency alarm buttons," say transit police in a statement.

The barriers are being funded through WorkSafeBC and Translink.

Unifor Local 111 president Nathan Woods says says it's a good idea.

“These barriers are needed simply because there are no engineered mechanisms to prevent assaults against transit operators,” he said.

Bus operator assaults have become a priority for Coast Mountain Bus. Drivers are consistently assaulted year after year.

In each of the last two years there have been 65 reported assaults on bus drivers according to transit police.

Twelve people have been convicted so far this year with sentences ranging from probation to jail time.