Bus driver quits after teen violence on Sunshine Coast routes
Bus drivers are living in fear with claims teen violence is escalating on Sunshine Coast public transport, with attacks including slapping and stabbings.
A bus driver has been slapped by one of his young passengers and another has navigated through glass thrown at the vehicle, with fears a death could occur among claims problems are escalating.
The Sunshine Coast bus driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, said youth crime related to public transport had become worse.
“I left because I was assaulted,” he said.
“I came back, and it’s actually gotten worse.
“I was hit in the side of the face.
“I was assaulted again and slapped by a juvenile.”
The bus driver has also seen many public disturbances on buses.
“We’ve had brawls on the bus, vaping, and drinking,” he said.
“It’s just constant.”
The bus driver who is ex-Army and had “seen many deaths” also worried that kids on e-bikes would “get killed” or injure others if they continued riding dangerously.
Last week, a group of teens were reported to police for riding “dangerously” along footpaths and roads in Kawana.
“Now, if there were an old grandmother here, or a frail person, and they hit him, they’d be in the hospital,” the driver said.
A second driver has also revealed the horrors she has observed including many items being thrown at the bus.
“I’ve seen them throw glass and eggs when I was doing a run last week,” she said.
“I was on the 600 to Caloundra, and they were starting to throw cans at buses.
“There are so many other stories that I’ve seen, and some drivers have been stabbed.”
In July, the Transport Workers’ Union demanded the reinstatement of the bus safety forum after a Sunshine Coast bus driver was stabbed in Caloundra.
At the time, the TWU claimed anti-social and violent behaviour was on the rise across the state.
A teen was recently charged with wilful damage for allegedly throwing an object at a bus in Mooloolaba.
The first bus driver also said the 50-cent fares were a “joke” and “it’s actually increasing fare evasion and trouble,” based on his observations.
The second bus driver said it was essential for people to protect themselves on public transport, and teens were disrespectful.
“They don’t have respect for any passenger or any driver; it doesn’t matter who,” she said.
“It’s paramount to protect yourself. Sometimes we get security guards on a Friday or Saturday night.”
A Department of Transport spokeswoman said safety was the department’s priority, and that public transport remained “safe” for passengers.
“The safety of our bus drivers, other frontline passenger transport staff and customers is our number one priority,” the spokeswoman said.
“Serious incidents are rare and public transport remains safe, with millions of trips completed across the state each year without incident,” the spokeswoman said.
The Department of Transport cooperates with their bus delivery service partner to create a safe environment.
“This includes a workforce of 11 network officers who patrol the Sunshine Coast bus network,” the spokeswoman said.
“The presence of these officers serves as a deterrent and reduces instances of anti-social behaviour on the network, contributing to a safer travel environment for all public transport users.”
Sunshine Coast customer satisfaction has also improved since the 50-cent price induction, “increasing to 4.2 out of five up from 4.1 for the same period the year prior,” the spokeswoman said.
A bus safety roundtable with key stakeholders, drivers, operators and unions was also held last month to improve overall transport safety.
The spokeswoman said the department would continue to review reports, and work with the police to mitigate anti-social behaviour on public transport.
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