Police release CCTV images, Kinetic speaks out as Tweed Shire public bus attack under investigation

Police have revealed a Tweed bus driver was allegedly punched and spat on when he tried to stop a group smoking or vaping. Now, the driver’s employer has spoken up.

Tweed-Byron police are investigating an assault and anti-social behaviour on a public bus which travelled between Murwillumbah and Banora Point from 8-8.30pm on November 21. Picture: Supplied

Police have revealed a Northern Rivers bus driver was allegedly punched and spat on when he tried to stop a group smoking or vaping, while officers work to track down those responsible.

The driver’s employer Kinetic, which partners with state governments to deliver public transport services, has stressed “everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable catching public transport” and the worker has been “provided full support”.

Tweed-Byron Police District took to Facebook on Monday to appeal for help from the public as part of a probe into “anti-social behaviour” and the alleged assault.

Police shared CCTV images captured in the Kinetic bus which was travelling a route from Murwillumbah to Banora Point in the Tweed Shire between 8-8.30pm last Thursday.

An image released by police. Picture: Supplied

Officers asked “do you know these people?” and said it was believed “the people depicted in the photographs can assist police with their investigation”.

Approached for details, a NSW Police spokesman said the driver was allegedly hit and spat on when he pulled up a number of passengers for smoking or vaping.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kinetic executive GM for southeast Queensland and northern NSW Martin Hall said: “Our drivers are incredibly proud of what they do keeping our communities connected and moving.”

“While we cannot comment on particular reports where police are involved, we do stress that everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable catching public transport,” he said.

“We take the safety of our passengers and drivers very seriously and have also installed safety screens on all of our NSW urban fleet to provide better protection for drivers at work.

Martin Hall, Kinetic executive GM for southeast Queensland and northern NSW, says the driver has been provided with support. Picture: Jerad Williams/Gold Coast Bulletin

“Any instance of criminal behaviour is totally unacceptable and referred to and dealt with by police. We have a strong relationship with police across our Gold Coast and Tweed Coast network.”

Tweed police promised “information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence”.

Officers apologised in the post for the quality of screenshots taken from bus video footage.

“The CCTV footage is much clearer but cannot be shared at this time,” the social media post reads.

Know more? Contact Tweed-Byron Police, or phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.