Perth bus drivers say they are facing ongoing threats of assault and live in fear of people throwing rocks at their buses, as their union considers industrial action if safety measures are not improved.
Bus drivers in Western Australia are facing abuse, threats, or assaults on a near daily basis, according to their union, which is threatening a campaign of industrial action if safety on buses is not improved.They want enhanced safety features on busesThe Transport Workers Union held a summit this week following the alleged assault of a female bus driver in Victoria Park earlier this month, in which police say she was kicked and spat on.
"I have personally been threatened with rape, my family have been threatened, I've been spat on, I've been abused, there's too many times that I can count that has happened to me," she said.Ms Hamilton said she loved driving a bus, and many passengers were "lovely" and "grateful" for the work she did, but instances of abuse were far too common."I'm a grandmother, I don't want to have to go home with a black eye.
"You can feel fairly vulnerable. It's much better having that cage so you've got some protection, but that's all there is."Transperth buses are currently equipped with at least seven security cameras, as well as duress alarms for drivers. The government said the TWU had called for the policy at the time to prevent the spread of disease, but drivers say it now causes anger among passengers who want change.
"It's not a great way to attract people into an industry – 'come and work for us, you'll be spat on, smacked in the mouth, and maybe abused before the day is out'," he said.A state government spokesman said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti met with TWU representatives late last year and would continue to work with the union to improve safety for bus drivers."The safety of our bus drivers continues to be a priority for the government," he said.
"From a policing perspective, we will work with the Department of Transport to identify if there is a trend. I haven't been briefed on a trend of that occurring, I know we've had spikes of it in the past," Police Commissioner Col Blanch said."We all want our public sector drivers, particularly of buses and other transport, to be safe, I think that's a no-brainer and something we should all be focused on.
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