Gold Coast crime: Police and paramedics respond after bus driver assaulted at Mermaid Beach

Demands for uniformed marshals on Gold Coast public transport are growing after a disturbing violent attack by teenagers on a bus driver.

A GOLD Coast councillor has renewed calls for a uniformed marshal service on public transport after another violent attack on a bus.

Police on Thursday will continue their hunt for a group of school students who ganged up on a Gold Coast bus driver, punching him in the head after he braked suddenly to avoid a crash.

The male driver was behind the wheel of the bus as it travelled southbound along the Gold Coast Highway near Mermaid Beach just before 5pm on Tuesday.

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Cr Hermann Vorster. Picture: Tim Marsden

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster, who has campaigned for a crackdown on vandalism, violence and drug use in and around the city’s public transport network, said he was disgusted by the attack and that more needed to be done to protect hardworking drivers.

“Everybody has an expectation that using public transport should be safe and comfortable, and when you are confronted by assaults, particularly on bus drivers you cannot help but worry people will be dissuaded from using it all together,” he said.

“Bus and tram drivers need to pay full attention to the control of their vehicles and it is unreasonable to ask them to police behaviour.

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The attack happened just before 5pm on Tuesday. File image. Picture: Mike Batterham

“That is why I renew my calls for the Department to recruit additional senior network officers to patrol buses, trams and trains.

“My fervent view is that the strongest possible message would be sent if these senior network officers were reformed into a public transport marshal service a properly uniformed presence using the full powers of existing laws which could help recoup millions in lost fares and put more people onto public transport by making it genuinely safer and more comfortable.”

A TransLink spokesman said extra senior network officers would be on the streets from next month.

“TransLink is committed to providing a safe work environment for bus drivers and other frontline transport workers as well as our customers,” he said.

“While Senior Network Officers play an important role in safety on public transport, this is a complex community crime issue involving the community and multiple agencies.

Fortunately, the male bus driver was not seriously injured in the attack. Picture: John Gass

“Queensland Police Service remains the lead authority for responding to and investigating any assaults or anti-social behaviour.”

Tuesday’s attack was the latest in a series of violent incidents on public transport in recent months.

It occurred as the bus approached the intersection of Ocean Grove after the driver was forced to break when a vehicle pulled out in front of the bus.

It is understood a group of up to three teenagers attacked the driver, punching him repeatedly in the head.

The teenagers were part of a group of about a dozen youths which escaped from the bus, with several later found on William Street at Mermaid Beach, but they were not believed to be “the main offenders”.

No arrests have been made.

Queensland Ambulance paramedics assessed the bus driver, but he did not need to be taken to hospital.

The driver went to Broadbeach Police Station, where he provided a statement.

Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or who can otherwise assist investigations, to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.