Hobart Metro bus driver writes to Anthony Albanese over anti-social behaviour on buses
A Hobart bus driver has written to the prime minister in an effort to make his job safer, as concerns escalate about abuse against drivers and staff are offered a $50 bonus to recruit workers.
Tasmania
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A HOBART bus driver has written to the prime minister in an effort to make his job safer, as concerns escalate about abuse against drivers.
The Metro driver, who did not wish to be named over fears of losing his job, says bus drivers were seen as “an entry level job” with not many qualifications needed.
“ … yet for a role many see any idiot can do, you trust us to transport your loved ones … to be qualified enough to keep them safe, to drive well, to be prepared for all that other road users do,” he said.
“We are not disposable workers. We are skilled at driving a heavy duty vehicle at speed, in traffic that tests most and they’re only in a car.
“We are responsible for up to 100 passengers at any one time … do you want our attention on our job or on the moment some aggressive customer spat in our eye a few days ago?”
The driver said he contacted Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s office as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an effort to have his issues heard.
“We are seeing the anti-social behaviour around our country escalating … and people are suffering from it,” part of his letter reads.
“You recently visited Tasmania and I’m hoping that you were made aware of the problems being experienced regarding public transport and assaults in the transport malls.
“We are employed to provide a service, we do this to earn a living.
“Earning a living in Australia should not come with the prospect of bodily harm.”
Meanwhile, CEO Katie Cooper empathised with drivers dealing with anti-social behaviour in a newsletter sent to Metro staff last week, which also advertised a ‘bus operators referral program’ offering staff a $50 bonus for recruiting friends or family to drive buses.
Ms Cooper addressed the recent incidents where drivers were “subject to aggressive and unacceptable behaviour”.
“The exec team and I, and the wider Metro leadership team, take these instances very seriously and have referred them to 999 and Tasmania Police,” Ms Cooper said.
“We hear your frustration. I am frustrated too. We understand the difficulties that anti-social behaviour causes for bus operators and our customers and we want to assure you that, while this isn’t a problem we can solve alone, we are doing everything we can with a wide range of stakeholders across law enforcement, government, community groups, schools and an internal
program to tackle this extremely difficult social issue.”
“We are also looking to revisit discussions of screen installation in buses as another potential option.”
Further in the newsletter, it was revealed staff would get a $50 bonus if they referred a friend or family member and they successfully passed their training.
Originally published as Hobart Metro bus driver writes to Anthony Albanese over anti-social behaviour on buses
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