A bus driver in Quito has installed a protective booth inside his vehicle in response to ongoing robberies along Simón Bolívar Avenue.
The measure reflects growing concern among drivers who say assaults occur daily on the eastern corridor of the city. Many incidents go unreported, as victims fear retaliation or believe filing complaints will not change the situation.
• Driver installs protective booth inside bus
• Robberies reported daily along Simón Bolívar Avenue
• Passengers face risk of armed assaults
Passengers boarding buses along this route are aware of the risks. Armed individuals are known to board vehicles, sometimes carrying knives or firearms, and use threats to intimidate both drivers and riders.
In some areas, residents and witnesses remain reluctant to speak publicly about the problem. Fear of being identified or targeted has led many to stay silent, even as incidents continue.
The protective booth is intended to shield the driver, but questions remain about how effective it would be in the face of serious attacks.
For now, the installation highlights the level of insecurity felt by those working on one of Quito’s busiest roadways.