Doubt if move will protect bus drivers
Christchurch Metro buses will now have “support officers” on board, but the bus drivers’ union is not convinced it will combat the daily abuse its members receive.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) announced yesterday Metro had established a new team of 11 support officers to tackle anti-social behaviour on some of the network’s busier routes.
The customer support team was made up of staff from First Security, which had the contract for a year’s trial.
The support officers would travel on different routes across the Metro network and work closely with drivers and customers to “provide the best possible travelling experience”, public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said.
The idea for the team arose from issues faced across the network over the past few years, Gibbon said. “While we’re pleased to report we no longer experience the same level of unsocial behaviour, we are taking a proactive approach of introducing this team to the wider network to respond to any future issues early.”
Amalgamated Workers’ Union New Zealand secretary and public transport advocate Lyndsay Chappell was not convinced, and neither were his members.
Drivers copped abuse from people riding on buses daily and they deserved protection, Chappell said.
“With the climate out there obviously people are stressed and are taking it out on our people that are driving buses and they need to deal with it, the bus exchange is no different. Our people go to work to do their job, but don’t expect to be assaulted.”
Chappell said Canterbury was not as bad as Auckland, but their drivers were being abused and spat at on a daily basis. “It may not necessarily be physical, but when it comes to doing things like spitting at people and abusing them it is just not acceptable.”
An ECan spokesperson said the support officers were not security guards.
The customer support officers would initially be dressed in First Security uniforms with Metro-branded accessories like caps and lanyards, before their co-branded uniforms were finalised, Gibbon said.
They would also provide additional support with directing people to the correct buses and stops. “For our customers who aren’t so familiar with our routes, this team will be of great help and assurance. Please make the most of these awesome kaimahi/staff and ask them for help when needed,” Gibbon said.
Chappell admitted the officers’ presence could assist drivers but there were only 11 and an “awful lot” of buses out on a daily basis. “Unfortunately we’re not sure what sort of impact they would have on these troublesome passengers; we’re not convinced they can exercise any authority.”
Those passengers needed to be stopped before they got on the bus, he said.
“I hear every day from drivers stressed out about the whole situation. There’s a lot of stuff they don't report because they feel they’re not being listened to.”
The drivers did not feel very comforted by the announcement, Chappell said. “They’re not convinced that is going to solve the problem. It’s not helpful for our people, they’re all good people just out there just trying to do the best they can for the public.”
The union would like more protection for drivers, Chappell said.
“One or two security guards isn’t going to be of much assistance to anyone.”
The support team will be in place for at least one year, on a trial basis. After the trial we will review ongoing requirements and appropriate funding, and determine whether the service will be continued,” Gibbon said.