Brisbane bus ‘trouble zones’ revealed as drivers left with PTSD

Brisbane’s most dangerous bus routes have been revealed, with drivers doing everything they can to avoid them as abuse and assaults skyrocket.

Brisbane bus drivers working some of the most dangerous routes in South East Queensland are suffering PTSD from repeated abuse and assaults forcing many to leave the industry.

Peter, a local driver who only wanted to be known by his first name for fear of reprisal, said those who didn’t leave were “resigned” to the fact they would face abuse.

Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) – Queensland bus division secretary Tom Brown said Route 100, which links Forest Lake, Inala, Durack, Oxley and Annerley to Brisbane’s CBD is “by far” the most dangerous route in SEQ followed by Route 110 and 330.

Mr Brown said there is also a “trouble zone” on Route 330 at Chermside but that drivers will often swap with a colleague.

He said out of fear “drivers will duck and weave to get out of certain routes”.

Brisbane bus drivers are “resigned” to daily issues of physical and verbal abuse. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

Peter, who oftens works Route 100 and 110 said it was a “generational issue” where young people use buses as a “free taxi service” has undoubtedly worsened in the last 3 or 4 years.

“It’s a bit frustrating because most other public transport systems are safe and secure – what goes on in the cabin is none of their concern but for a bus driver we are right there,” he said.

“We get told we are not allowed to leave a child behind yet we can take a child into the city at 10 or 11pm, drop them at Southbank or the middle of the mall, and no one bats an eyelid. We have created this monster.”

Mr Brown said the union is calling for full driver protection barriers as well as customer service officers who have the “authority” to challenge people.

“At the heart of all of this is the fare evasion epidemic – we need tougher sentencing for people that assault bus drivers.

“Most of the people that do this walk away, even if they get caught but there is a whole cohort out there aged 15 to 25 that have probably never paid for a bus ticket in their life.”

Mr Brown said fare evasion and chroming (solvent abuse) are “part and parcel” of this anti-social behaviour.

Brisbane City Council Labor Leader, Cr Jared Cassidy said Brisbane bus drivers are being spat on, sworn at, kicked, and punched “more than ever before”.

“Despite repeated calls from the Labor Opposition, the LNP Mayor has refused to take action and improve bus driver safety and now we’re seeing record numbers of assaults,” he said.

Council’s transport chairman Ryan Murphy encouraged the union to join the council’s call for the state government to “fund more transport officers”.

BUS INCIDENTS

There have been 446 incidents on buses but zero incidents on CityCats, KittyCats and City Ferries in 2022 between January and August.

– 338 minor verbal abuse – for example swearing or an obscene gesture

– 71 major verbal – for example shouting, screaming, racial abuse

– 11 spitting incidents

– 11 physical assaults

– 1 low grade physical assault, such as touching

– 8 objects thrown

– 6 incidents of thefts

In 2020 there were 654 incidents on buses

– 508 minor verbal assaults

– 87 major verbal

– 20 spitting incidents

– 14 physical contact

– 9 low grade physical assault

– 3 objects thrown

– 13 incidents of theft

In 2018 there were 521 incidents on buses.

– 364 minor verbal abuse

– 89 major verbal

– 27 spitting

– 18 physical assaults

– 2 low grade physical assault

– 4 objects thrown

– 17 incidents of theft

BUS ‘TROUBLE ZONES’

Route 110 – Inala, Acacia Ridge, Archerfield into the CBD (Queen St)

Route 330 – Bracken Ridge, Taigum, Zillmere, Chermside, Cultural Centre (northern suburbs)

Route 100 – Forest Lake, Inala, Durack, Oxley, Annerley into the CBD