Fear for drivers on bus attacks
NEWLY appointed Transport Minister Jackie Trad says she will wait for an investigation before backing calls for harsher penalties for people who attack buses.
Surfside Buslines yesterday said the number of missile attacks on buses had jumped from 28 in 2015 to 83 in 2016. Fourteen have already been recorded this year, a record for January.
General manager Martin Hall said it was only a matter of time before someone died as a result of senseless attacks on buses and called on the Government to take action.
Hours after being sworn in as Transport Minister, Deputy Premier Trad said she would await the findings of a review into the sector.
“We will not tolerate violence against our bus drivers,” she said. “I look forward to receiving the review shortly and am committed to strengthening the safety of our drivers.”
Mr Hall said harsher penalties and a program educating juveniles about the cowardly nature of attacks were two important ways for policymakers to respond.
“People shouldn’t have to fear for their lives when they go to work or catch a bus,” he said. “Throwing a rock is a cowardly act … these kids are throwing rocks at buses and then getting on them to go to school the next day. That’s the irony.
“We need to have the same sort of reaction as when you assault a police officer or an ambulance officer.
“The kids are now shining lasers in the drivers’ eyes.”
Twelve people were on board a Surfside bus about 8pm on Scarborough St, Southport, on Thursday when youngsters threw rocks, smashing the windscreen.
Rocks were also thrown at a Surfside bus on Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes, about 10pm, causing damage.
Transport Workers Union Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagini said the danger facing drivers and passengers was an issue too big for operators and authorities to handle on their own.
Mr Biagini said the attacks warranted a concerted response from the Government and encouraged the public to report incidents and to be prepared to make statements.
“I’m extremely concerned for our drivers, extremely concerned about the message this sends to the general public about using the public transport system,” he said. “Public transport is a community service. We need to get the community on board to help us to take these people down.”