newy.com.au – A Newcastle bus driver remains in hospital after being seriously injured in an assault over the weekend, prompting the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to renew calls for stronger safety protections across the city’s bus network.
The RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division has accused private operator Keolis Downer Hunter of failing to adequately protect drivers and passengers, saying the latest attack follows a pattern of violence against local bus workers. The union said Newcastle Buses stopped in February after a driver was stabbed, and claimed Keolis made safety commitments to SafeWork and its workforce after that incident but had not followed through.
RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division president Peter Grech said the weekend assault showed drivers continued to face unacceptable risks while doing their jobs.
“This worker went to work expecting to drive a bus home at the end of his shift, but instead he’s recovering in a hospital bed,” Mr Grech said.
“Every assault on a bus driver is a failure of safety. Keolis Downer knows there is a serious problem, yet drivers continue to be attacked.
“Our drivers are being spat on, punched, assaulted and even stabbed. How many more workers need to end up in injured or in hospital before this company treats safety as its highest priority?
“This wasn’t unpredictable. Violence on our buses has become an ongoing pattern and Keolis Downer Hunter has failed to put in place measures that give workers and passengers confidence they will be protected.
“No worker should ever have to choose between earning a living and getting home safely to their family.”
Mr Grech said the union wanted urgent changes, including full safety screens for drivers and permanent security support trucks employed by the company. He also called for additional staff on buses as part of practical measures to improve safety.
“The company needs to listen to workers and immediately implement practical safety improvements such as protective screens and additional staff on each bus.
“We can’t continue to have local bus drivers ending up in hospital every couple of weeks.”
Mr Grech said if Keolis Downer Hunter could not protect its workers, the NSW Government had a responsibility to intervene.
“Bus drivers are public-facing workers who provide an essential service to the community. They deserve to know their employer is doing everything possible to protect them. Right now, drivers do not have that confidence.
“Our thoughts are with our injured colleague and his family as he recovers.”
