Bus driver’s death sparks protest

Hundreds of transit workers rallied outside Winnipeg city hall Friday to demand safety improvements following the killing of one of their colleagues.

“This is not a new issue,” John Callahan, president of the bus drivers’ union local, told the crowd. “We’ve been talking about this for the past three years. Time and time again – assault after assault after assault. What have we gotten? Lip service.”

The transit workers also marched to the middle of the city’s busiest intersection at Portage Avenue and Main Street and formed a large square. Some carried signs that read “One life is too many.”

The rally came three days after Irvine Jubal Fraser, 58, was stabbed to death at the end of his late- night route. Police said Fraser repeatedly told a passenger to get off the bus because it was the end of the line, and the passenger attacked him. Brian Kyle Thomas, 22, has been charged with second- degree murder.

Fraser’s brother, Dean, fought back tears as he told the crowd Fraser loved driving buses.

“He was taken from us doing what he loved,” he said. “You couldn’t see Jubal without a smile on his face and I’m sure he’s smiling down on you guys right now for your support.”