Appalling reason Brisbane bus driver was brutally attacked

This man allegedly attacked a defenceless Brisbane bus driver in footage that went viral. Here’s the disgraceful excuse for his actions.

The reason a man brutally attacked a defenceless Brisbane bus driver in front of shocked passengers the has been revealed.

Echibaketa Byamungu, 21, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court Monday after being charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

Byamungu allegedly attacked 46-year-old bus driver Chun-hung Chiang just after 6pm on Friday at the South Bank bus station.

Byamungu’s lawyer submitted it was Mr Chiang who first got physical and his client reacted after his phone was damaged.

“So why did he kick off,” Magistrate Ross Mack asked.

“Well, he’s pushed off the bus, and the phone falls down as I understand it’s broken the phone,” Byamungu’s solicitor Shane McDowell said.

“But he goes hard,” Mr Mack continued.

“It becomes a question of proportionality, and I would have some difficulties making any further submissions in respect to that,” Mr McDowell responded.

Echibaketa Byamungu outside court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Mr McDowell said there was an apparent issue with his client trying to pay and he was trying to transfer money when the altercation took placed.

“The actual first interaction of physical force is from the bus driver “ Mr McDowell claimed.

“When he asked him to leave?” Mr Mack said.

“Yes your honour … he’s not just walking around looking for trouble. The first physical interaction occurs from the driver,” Mr McDowell responded.

Mr Mack suggested a prison term could be the outcome if conviction was successful.

“If he punched out a bus driver who lawfully asked him to leave because he hadn’t paid he might be facing a period of imprisonment,” Mr Mack said.

“Things are getting a bit grim for you here aren’t they. You’re in a bit of strife.

“Bus drivers who have every right to expect the protection of the court and the law where they’re assaulted by passengers, it’s an enormously popular mode of transport, and the passengers on the bus don’t need to be exposed to it either.”

A Brisbane City Council bus driver has allegedly been assaulted by a passenger at South Bank. Picture: Luke Goldfish

Mr McDowell said the injuries allegedly caused to the driver appeared to be of a “lower level” and his client had no offences of violence on his adult history.

The court heard police located Byamungu through the use of his GoCard.

Mr Mack said the allegations were serious and the evidence was strong however he granted bail with conditions Byamungu not use any Brisbane City Council bus and not contact the driver.

Footage of the assault emerged at the weekend, with the Rail Tram and Bus Union sharing their fears for drivers.

The footage shows Mr Chiang getting punched by Byamungu multiple times, before he comes back for a final punch.

Speaking following the release of the footage, RTBU state secretary Tom Brown said the incident was deeply concerning.

“We’re sickened by the footage of the incident, and our concern is for the wellbeing of the driver at this point in time,” he said.

“I know that he’s been to the doctor, and I know that he is off work for the next week, but we will just wait and see how he has actually pulled up from the incident, what injuries he actually has at this point in time.”

Mr Brown said he was concerned how quickly people were prepared to resort to violence.

“There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground, it goes from zero to extreme violence in an instant,” he said.

“We really thought, and we really hoped that the 50 cent fares would see a decrease in the violence, but it really hasn’t.

“The level of violence has been sustained, just how quickly people resort to the violence is a worrying factor.”

He said the drivers don’t see it coming.

“They are trying to de-escalate or have a conversation about something and bang, the fists are flying,” he said.

“We are seeing an uptake in spitting and that concerns us, because it takes several months to be tested for the results of the tests that come through against any saliva borne diseases like hep B and Hep C.”

Brisbane City Council had reported the incident to police and offered the driver support.

Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Andrew Wines said one assault on a bus driver was one too many.

“We want our bus drivers to feel safe at work,” he said.

“Anti-social behaviour is fast becoming a societal issue, and it’s becoming more noticeable on our streets, in our shopping centres and sadly on our public transport.

“Brisbane City Council has installed CCTV and emergency buttons, anti-shatter windows and bus driver safety barriers on every single bus.

“Safety is our priority, and we will continue to invest in safety measures to support our bus team, both on and off the bus.”

Adrian Schrinner Lord Mayor. Photo Steve Pohlner

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said on social media that the behaviour was deeply disturbing and had no place in the city.

“No one deserves to face violence in their workplace, especially from a single individual whose reckless actions endangered the safety of everyone on board,” he said.

“My thoughts are with the bus driver who was subjected to this appalling and completely unacceptable attack while simply doing his job.

“Brisbane is a friendly city, a city where people of all beliefs, cultures and backgrounds live together harmoniously and a city where everyone deserves to feel safe.

“While we have strong safety protections for our bus drivers, we shouldn’t need them which is why we continue to stand up for Brisbane against crime to keep our community safe.”

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact the police.

The Courier Mail can reveal a second unrelated incident involving a knife occurred on the bus network. Police are investigating both incidents.

Originally published as Appalling reason Brisbane bus driver was brutally attacked