Cairns bus driver attacked at rest stop sparks union call for safety
Allegations a bus passenger hunted down a driver and violently assaulted him while on a break in the Cairns CBD has prompted calls for better protection of drivers.
Allegations a bus passenger hunted down a driver and violently assaulted him while on a break in the Cairns CBD has prompted calls for better protection of drivers.
The Transport Workers’ Union has called for urgent action after the 63-year-old driver was placed in a headlock and injured while taking a break at a rest stop on Bunda St.
The union, which represents bus drivers across Queensland, claimed a passenger began verbally abusing the driver when the bus stopped at Cairns Central Shopping Centre.
The driver drove the empty bus to an area behind the Cairns Railway Station to park and take a break.
The same passenger allegedly ran through the shopping centre and physically assaulted the driver and put him in a headlock.
Queensland Police confirmed they are investigating reports of an assault at 4pm on Monday, November 17.
TWU Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy said the union was working closely with the driver and colleagues to support them.
“We are shocked by this horrific attack on a bus driver, who was simply doing his job in Cairns,” he said.
“This assault demonstrates the urgent need for improved safety for Queensland bus drivers.”
“One of the many items raised by the Union was safe break areas for drivers, and this attack highlights this issue again.”
He said the union fought for the reinstatement of the Bus Safety Forum after it was cancelled earlier this year by the state government.
“Everybody should feel safe at work, and we need the government, police and the community to work together to put an end to this senseless violence,” he said.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesman claimed serious incidents are rare and millions of trips are completed across the state each year without any trouble.
However, the Cairns network is plagued by violent incidents including passengers spitting at drivers and a concerning an attack in 2022 when a spear was thrown at a driver in Mooroobool.
Off the back of a Bus Safety Roundtable chaired by Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg in July a spokesman said Network Officers and contracted security guards have been hired to make the Cairns network safer.
A plan to roll out full bus driver safety screens and investigating stricter penalties for offenders were two points raised after the roundtable by a newly formed Public Transport Stakeholder Reference Group.
The Cairns driver sustained injuries to his leg and face but did not require medical treatment.
Officers are calling anyone with information or relevant vision to contact police.
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Originally published as Cairns bus driver attacked at rest stop sparks union call for safety
