Northern beaches bus driver claims teens are abusive on bus after drinking at Warringah Mall

A northern beaches bus driver says there is a problem with large groups of teens at Warringah Mall who go there to drink and are abusive to him and passengers on public transport.

The main bus stop at Warringah Mall. Picture: Adam Yip.

A northern beaches bus driver has called for more to be done about abusive teens who use Warringah Mall to hang out, get drunk and cause trouble on public transport.

It follows a story in the Manly Daily last week about kids being told they were not allowed to hang out at the Brookvale shopping centre in groups of more than three.

The driver, who often does night shifts, did not want to be named but said there was an issue with groups of youths.

GENERIC — Brookvale Westfield Warringah Mall Cross Street

He said there were five big groups of troublemakers on the beaches who hang out in the car park of the mall, many of them known to police.

He said they often get on the bus drunk, verbally abuse him and smoke.

On at least one occasion he has been spat at.

“Sometimes groups of more than 30 get on the bus and many refuse to pay for their trip,” he said.

“They are totally disrespectful.

“They yell abuse, I’ve been spat on and had smoke blown in my face.”

Kids like to hang out at Warringah Mall in large groups.

Others drivers had reported fights on their buses.

He said following the Daniel Morcombe murder he wasn’t allowed to leave kids at the bus stop.

And, once on the bus there was little he could do.

He said other passengers had been abused and there had been incidents of kids asking to borrow someone’s phone to make a call and then demanding money in order to hand it back.

“I often don’t know these things are happening until after the event,” he said.

Daniel Morcombe, 13, who was abducted from a bus stop in Queensland and murdered. Picture: Supplied.

He added that the problems worsen during the school holidays which are next coming up in April.

After working through the Christmas period he said he was ready to “blow a screw”.

The driver, who has done night shifts for three years, said the troublemakers were boys and girls aged from as young as 13, but mainly in the 15 to 17 age bracket. They normally get on and off at Cross St, Balgowlah, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Warriewood.

A spokesman for State Transit said the safety of customers and employees is top priority and instances of anti-social passenger behaviour across our bus network are isolated.

“If an incident occurs our drivers, who undergo comprehensive training, are well supported to respond with the assistance of our 24/7 radio room who can make immediate contact with staff at nearby bus depots and emergency services, if required,” the spokesman said.

“NSW Police from the Transport Command and transport officers regularly patrol buses, including late at nights and on weekends.

“Our entire bus fleet is fitted with CCTV cameras, meaning passengers behaving badly on board can be identified.

“We expect our customers, irrespective of their age, to act appropriately and show respect towards bus drivers and other passengers at all times.”