Bus drivers in hot seat as claims rise

Auckland bus drivers have faced a barrage of complaints this year ranging from violence and racial abuse to sexual harassment. The 59 complaints, which also include allegations of drivers speeding, tailgating and not stopping for passengers, were laid by members of the public in the first three months of the year.

Details obtained by Newstalk ZB under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act reveal one complainant claimed their 15-year-old daughter was sexually propositioned by a bus driver in October last year.

The girl’s mother said that, as of February this year, they had not received a follow-up to their complaint.

The woman said her daughter was now reluctant to use the service.

“We have heard nothing in almost four months, which is disappointing and unacceptable.”

But Auckland Transport says it doesn’t employ the drivers; it contracts nine bus companies around the region to provide public transport, so can’t comment on where, if any, investigations are at.

There were also allegations of verbal abuse and physical violence.

In early January, a 14-year-old passenger complained to Auckland

Transport that a bus driver tried to hit him, and swore aggressively at him and another passenger.

Another claimed they were assaulted by a bus driver, after telling him to slow down.

Also in January, a passenger alleged she was treated differently by a driver because of her ethnicity.

In her complaint, she wrote a bus driver told her to move to the back of the bus as she was talking too loudly, and “people who speak her language always talk loud”.

Stacey van der Putten, Auckland Transport’s Group Manager, Metro Services, said it took all customer feedback seriously.

“Any complaint is a concern, as we and our operating partners strive to deliver services to a high standard.

“The serious allegation cases are prioritised and escalated to the bus operator and AT manager responsible for managing the contract.

“In these cases, the driver is immediately interviewed and CCTV footage of the incident is reviewed; all buses have multiple CCTV cameras. The bus operator carries out an internal formal HR process with the driver suspended while the investigation is under way.”

When a serious allegation of an accident, violence, sexual harassment or racial abuse was reported, the customer was encouraged to lodge a complaint with police, van der Putten said.