Protests erupt as union calls for increased safety measures
Brisbane bus drivers have doubled down on their demands for full protective screens to be installed on council vehicles following a violent attack that left one driver seriously injured.
On the night of November 7, the father-of-three suffered a broken neck, broken jaw, broken nose and lost several teeth when he was attacked at the 340 service in Kelvin Grove. He’ll probably never be able to work again.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union held a protest at City Hall on Tuesday, saying the attack was one of more than 60 driver assaults in Brisbane each month, with the number rising to over 200 in September.
RTBU protest outside Brisbane City Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Credit: William Davis
More than two dozen bus drivers, union members and Labor councilors gathered in King George Square ahead of a council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
“They’re not taking this seriously,” said Tom Brown, bus division secretary.
“While our drivers are getting crushed out there, the Mayor is stalling and stalling and blaming other people.”
Brown accused the LNP leadership of ignoring the problem. He called for the universal installation of full protective screens for drivers and a permanent ban on those convicted of violent behavior on public transport.
“People have been leaving jobs in droves over the last few years, and the violence and harassment that bus drivers experience is probably the number one reason why they have trouble getting hired,” the union leader added.
Around 300 of the more than 1,000 buses already have full protective screens, and this number is planned to be increased to around 400 next year.
