The alleged stabbing of a bus driver at Caloundra on the weekend has reignited calls for stronger safety measures on public transport.
The 67-year-old was allegedly stabbed in the neck on Saturday morning at the Caloundra bus station, near Cooma Terrace and Latona Avenue.
He was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital and had surgery on Sunday to close the laceration and is now recovering.
A 44-year-old Parrearra man has been charged with serious assault person over 60, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a knife in a public place.
Bus drivers from the Transport Workers’ Union say anti-social and violent behaviour is on the rise across the state, with five high-profile attacks on drivers and passengers in as many months, plus “countless” other incidents.
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The union is demanding that the state government reinstate the Bus Safety Forum, which was scrapped earlier this year.
“Translink and the state government’s decision to scrap these safety forums, without any consultation with drivers or their union, is a disgrace,” TWU Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy said.
“Five serious assaults since March and countless more incidents of aggression and verbal abuse shows the urgency of this issue.
“Our members continue to face threats, abuse and assault across Queensland’s bus network. These are not abstract risks, they are ongoing, traumatic and very real.
“Removing the forum removes transparency. It silences driver voices. It strips workers of a vital avenue to influence decisions that directly impact their safety.”
A Translink spokesperson acknowledged the Caloundra incident and said it was working with partners to reduce violence on public transport.
“Translink is aware of an incident on a Kinetic bus service in Caloundra on Saturday. Emergency services responded to the incident and the Queensland Police Service is investigating,” they said.
“There were more than 3.7 million passenger trips on Kinetic Sunshine Coast buses in the last financial year. In the same period, there were seven reported physical assaults on drivers, 18 instances of verbal abuse and three reports of objects thrown at the bus.
“Violent behaviour will not be tolerated and Translink continues to work with delivery partners, QPS and key stakeholders to prioritise safety for bus drivers, frontline workers and the travelling public.”
Translink was asked if the Bus Safety Forum would be reinstated but the spokesperson outlined other safety initiatives it was involved in.
“Translink has specific collaborations and more targeted engagement with stakeholders which has been better in connecting those who have the most interest in and right expertise for safety issues,” they said.
“Translink will also continue collaborations that provide touchpoints with drivers on bus safety which include TMR-funded network officers working on contracted bus services; quarterly forums held as part of the induction of new bus drivers; and online training modules regarding driver safety and de-escalation of customer aggression.”
Former bus driver Terry Russell said verbal abuse and violence led him to leaving the industry.
“I’ve been spat on, punched in the chin and had a knife held to my throat, all while working as a driver in Queensland,” he said.
“I couldn’t take it any longer and in 2022 I quit my 11-year career as a bus driver.
“Translink, the state government and bus operators need to work with unions to fix these safety issues.”
A TWU media release said the forum was the only structured platform where drivers, unions, operators and government bodies came together to address violence and abuse directed at bus drivers.
It said the decision to discontinue the forum was made without direct consultation with drivers and their representatives.
