WE’RE BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE
Drivers and businesses desperate as bus violence escalates
BUSINESSES in southern Cairns are at breaking point and bus drivers are calling for urgent action as drunken itinerants and juveniles drive fear into retail customers and transport workers.
The anti-social behaviour has escalated with a woman allegedly assaulted by a group of youths on a bus in Parramatta Park.
Shopkeepers on Mulgrave Road said their businesses had been affected by groups lingering near the Earlville bus stop.
“We can see them get on the bus for free, carrying alcohol; they put it in their water bottles and the ‘water’ is yellow,” one store employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
The retail worker said customers had been ushered in through the back door in order to avoid confrontations with the drunken groups.
Another small business owner said the problem was “absolutely rife.”
The Transport Worker’s Union is pushing for extra security for their drivers from the State Government.
BUS drivers are calling in sick and businesses are locking their doors as violence on public transport reaches new heights.
The brazen anti-social behaviour escalated last week when a woman was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths on a bus in Parramatta Park.
In May police confirmed that groups of passengers had exploited COVID-19 hygiene measures that resulted in drivers waiving fares in order to avoid handling cash.
The loophole saw juveniles and adults hopping on buses from southern Cairns to the northern beaches in order to stock up on alcohol and allegedly chroming.
Shopkeepers on Mulgrave Road said their businesses had been affected by drunken itinerants who lingered near the Earlville bus stop.
One retailer, who asked not to be named, said it was at breaking point.
“We have tried to have the bus stop moved several times with no luck,” she said.
“Sometimes we have seen them soil themselves, that sort of thing.
“We have a lot of elderly people come through and mothers with babies walking past,” she said.
“It can be quite confronting.”
As businesses try to shore up falling trade, bus drivers have demanded security.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said Sunbus drivers had being clamouring for action.
“I have been approached by at least three drivers asking for help,” Cr Olds said.
“The state won’t allow security on board.”
Cr Olds said one driver had messaged him repeatedly over the ongoing violence.
“He said, ‘we feel like we are alone’,” Cr Olds said.
“We are having staff off, sick with PTSD.’”
Cr Olds said passengers were travelling north from the outer suburbs.
“A lot of the offenders have come in on the bus out to Smithfield and Trinity Beach and start buying alcohol from 9am,” Cr Olds said.
“Some have brought 14 litres of cask wine on-board.
“The kids are riding on the bus from free, they come into town at 11pm and have no reason to aside from scallywag behaviour; they are making a nuisance of themselves.”
It is understood that, faced with the spectre of assault by passengers, some drivers would refuse to start collecting fares.
This week police charged a 13-year-old after a passenger was assaulted on June 18.
A woman who was also travelling on the bus asked them to refrain from swearing.
It has been further alleged a teenage girl who was with the youths then approached the woman and knocked her hat from her head before punching her in the upper arm.
The girl is the second youth charged over the altercation – on Monday police charged a Brinsmead teen, also 13.
The Transport Workers’ Union organiser for FNQ Russell Vieritz said the union’s state office would be holding discussions with TransLink and the Transport Minister to increase security.
“We want what they have in southeast Queensland – security guards and ticket inspectors,” Mr Vieritz said.
“We need our bus drivers safe; there is a possibility they won’t be working.”
He said several drivers had been racially abused and one recently was the subject of death threats by a passenger.
TransLink and Transport and Main Roads have been asked for comment.