Drivers Shake the Cage

A violent passenger took 28 seconds to tear down a ‘safety screen’, meant to protect bus drivers in Perth, before attacking the driver, leaving him off work for several days.

Drivers have criticised the welded mesh screens, saying they leave them open to being spat on, abused, stoned, poked and still be assaulted.

300 drivers responded to a survey on the safety screens by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), many complaining about their lack of effectiveness.

The TWU, representing the drivers, is calling for a summit to thrash out the issues surrounding bus driver safety in WA.

The union has approached the minister responsible for workplace safety, John Kobelke; the workplace safety authority, WorkSafe; the WA Public Transport Authority; and the three provaite bus operators in Perth to join the summit.

"We're hoping to get a consensus on a cage design," says Mick Knowles from the TWU. "The stress these drivers are under is immense."

"With keeping to running times, timetables, and then something happens and these drivers snap."

Figures provided by Perth's three private bus companies to the media show more than 400 incidents involving anti-social behavior by passengers or projectiles being thrown at buses in the past six months.

Drivers Robbed, Pelted with Stubbies

Meanwhile bus drivers in Sydney's southwest have faced further violence with a driver doing a Claymore route having beer bottles thrown at his vehicle, and a bus driver at Airds being threatened at knifepoint, robbed and assaulted in the last month.

Campbelltown Busways TWU delegate Paul Tucker told media he would ensure the safety issue was on the agenda for a meeting with Busways.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:38 EST