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Category: Public Sector / Road Transport / Road / Assault / State Parliament

Bus driver attacks prompt safety review, union calls for cashless ticketing

Friday, 30 Sep 2016 06:05:48 | Josh Bavas

Money-free ticketing would be a big step forward for driver safety, the TWU said. (ABC News: Nic MacBean - file image)

The safety of Queensland bus drivers is under review amid concern over a growing number of assaults on drivers.

State Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced the review, saying 350 drivers have been assaulted across Queensland in the past six months.

He said the review would examine safety measures, training and protocols currently in place to protect drivers.

"Public transport workers — particularly bus drivers — often fall victim to verbal or physical abuse, simply for just doing their job," he said.

Transport Workers Union branch secretary Peter Biagini said the review was long overdue and called for harsher penalties for people who attack bus drivers.

"And those penalties to be similar to those sort of penalties that would incur if you attack a police officer or an ambulance officer," Mr Biagini said.

"When he [the Minister] talks about attacks, I think there's even more incidents because many incidents go unreported.

"Incidents can be spat at, verbally abused, but they get a lot more serious."

Mr Biagini said measures such as protection barriers, more security cameras and going cashless could improve driver safety.

"One of the first things, you've got to take the money out of the equation. You've got to have a money-free ticketing system, that will go a fair way."

Mr Hinchliffe said his department would look to improve systems, policies and infrastructure.

A report will be finalised by next March.

AustraliaPlus


 

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