NEEDLE ON BUS
Union calls for tougher consequences over anti-social behaviour after a child almost sat on a syringe
THE Transport Workers’ Union is calling for tougher consequences for anti-social behaviour on public buses after a child almost sat on a needle left on a Palmerston bus seat.
Moulden resident Justin Bading was catching a route 70 Buslink bus with his four kids on Thursday when he discovered a needle left on the seat.
“I was taking my kids shopping and lucky I saw it ’cause they nearly sat on it,” he said.
“I was pretty angry; who knows what would happen if it had pricked them. It looks like these days people can be doing anything on buses, even taking drugs which is pretty dodgy.”
Mr Bading said he reported the needle to the bus driver.
“I want to spread the word and warn other parents who send their kids on the bus,” he said. “I know it’s a big worry for me cause my family takes the bus all the time.”
The incident has left the Transport Workers Union frustrated with continued messages not seeming to get through to some members of the community.
TWU SA/NT branch secretary Ian Smith said public transport was a community asset that needed to be protected. “No one should fear putting their children and families on a Darwin bus,” he said.
“There have got to be consequences for people’s actions. If people are going to behave in these anti-social behaviours, there’s got to be consequences and they’ve got to be severe.
“Society has changed and I don’t think for the better, so we need to up the ante and … put pressure on government.”
Currently, the union is working with officials from the NT Transport Department, as well as representatives of NT Police and local councils, on a transport network group to come up with solutions to the ongoing problems on Territory buses.
Buslink NT managing director David Hannon said the company was investigating.
“Fortunately, the number of sharps found on buses in Darwin is negligible when compared to other cities around Australia,” Mr Hannon said.
“Buslink maintains a procedure for dealing with sharps found on buses, including the safe handling and disposal of needles. If a passenger finds an object such as a needle on the bus or at a bus stop, I encourage them to report it to their driver, a transit safety officer or interchange personnel so the correct action can be taken.”
Transport Minister Eva Lawler said everyone should feel safe on public transport. “Unfortunately there are some in our community who do the wrong thing, which is why there are transport safety officers to help monitor and address the safety concerns of bus drivers and passengers.”
“These days people can be doing anything on buses” JUSTIN BADING