Lopez v. Southern California Rapid Transit District

Opinion

GRODIN, J.

The issue presented in this case is whether the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD), a public corporation, has a duty to protect passengers aboard its buses from assaults by fellow passengers. We conclude that RTD does owe such a duty to its passengers and that RTD is not immune from liability under the facts alleged in plaintiffs’ complaint. We therefore hold that the trial court erred in sustaining RTD’s demurrer, and reverse the judgment of dismissal.

I

Plaintiffs Carmen and Carla Lopez, Yolanda and Jose de Dios and Zenaida Arce brought this action against RTD…