Driver: I don’t feel safe at work

ASSAULTS against transit officers have doubled in the past two years while assaults against bus drivers have grown by 55 per cent.

In total, 14 bus drivers, 12 transit officers and 122 members of the general public were assaulted in that time.

The problem is so bad a Territory bus driver has admitted they feel unsafe going to work due to failures in the system. The driver, who didn’t want to be named for fear of losing their job, said the real numbers were much higher.

“It doesn’t get reported because the drivers have become immune to it,” the driver said.

“I got threatened with death but I let it go because that’s the way it is.”

Transport Workers’ Union SA/NT branch organiser Elise McLay said safety standards weren’t good enough.

“We need more transit security officers and more training around dealing with weapons,” he said.

“Many bus drivers face abuse and violence on buses.”

The most common issues the driver faces are misbehaving youths and intoxicated people.

“The kids can do what they want, and we cannot refuse a kid entry and we cannot kick a kid off,” the driver said.

“A kid can come on the bus, he can punch somebody, he can rip the seats and the next day, if he’s not locked up, we cannot refuse him entry.”

All buses in the NT have a barricade between the driver and the public but a shortage of transit officers means help is not always available.

There are currently 14 transit officers employed by the Department of Transport, including a team leader and a manager. Of the 14, executive of transport services Simon Saunders said there were at least 10 working each evening.

“There are six permanent security personnel stationed at bus interchanges and the Darwin city Woolworths bus stop supported by two mobile transit teams patrolling the network and responding to incidents,” he said.

But the driver who spoke to the NT News said the security officers at bus stops had no powers, and there were only two transit officers working each night.

“We have one car on at night-time to cover Casuarina, the northern suburbs, Palmerston and the city,” the driver said. “One car for the entire network. If you get into trouble, it’s like playing Russian roulette. If you’re lucky, it’s nearby. If you’re not, you don’t get help.

“There are also times where there are no cars on. You can’t call for help, you can only call the police and you know how busy they are.”

Ahead of the election, the Labor Party promised it would work to make public transport in the Territory safer.

“Labor is deeply concerned about community safety, especially on pubic transport,” then shadow minister Ken Vowles said.

“Labor introduced the transit safety officers and we will work with the Department of Transport to make sure they have the resources they need.”