Driver protection push

BUS ABUSE: Calls for separate cabins, tougher penalties

GEELONG’S bus drivers need protection from abusive and violent passengers, advocates say.

Bus Association Victoria is calling for harsher punishments for those found guilty of bashing bus drivers, similar to penalties handed down to people who attack emergency workers.

A driver from Geelong’s largest bus operator was assaulted while working on Tuesday.

McHarry’s Buslines general manager David Doig said a driver was attacked by a passenger who threatened him and threw a drink at him.

Mr Doig said instances of drivers being assaulted were rare, but they were often forced to endure verbal abuse.

“Verbal assaults directed at drivers do happen far too often,” he said.

“The safety of our drivers and our customers is always at the forefront of what we do.”

A source within the McHarry’s fleet, who did not wish to be named, contacted the Geelong Advertiser and said anti-social behaviour was “just getting worse”.

“This is quite a common thing,” the man said. “I’m concerned it’ll end in tragedy. What’s needed is a completely separate cabin for the driver.”

A 2016 study of on-board assaults and driver health found 116 bus drivers were assaulted in Victoria from 2008 to May 2016.

The frequency of assaults has spiked, from three assaults in 2008 to 13 assaults in the first half of 2016.

“Anecdotal and formal evaluations confirm bus driving is one of the most hazardous occupations,” the report said.

Bus Association Victoria executive director Chris Lowe, who co-authored the report, said more could be done to create a “strong disincentive” to anti-social behaviour on buses.

“We’re trying to change the culture, to say it’s not OK to bash a bus driver,” Mr Lowe said.

“Change the law, so they get a longer custodial sentence — we think that would be a strong disincentive.”

He said work was under way to design the next safety option — a wholly contained cabin to separate the driver from passengers, similar to those on Melbourne’s trams.

The State Government has agreed to work with operators to retrofit all buses with security doors and Perspex screens over the next 18 to 24 months.

State Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said attacks on drivers were “disgraceful”.

“We have implemented a range of initiatives to boost safety, and continue to work with drivers, operators and police to improve security further,” Ms Allan said.