A secure break room has opened at a Sunshine Coast bus station, following an attack on a driver.
The Transport Workers’ Union announced the opening of the room at the Caloundra Bus Interchange, after the incident in June.
TWU Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy welcomed the new space.
“The opening of this secure break room at the Caloundra Bus Interchange is great news for workers, providing them a secure area to have their lunch and get their well-earned rest between their routes,” he said.
“It is a shame, however, that it took the horrific stabbing attack last year for this to be actioned. Safe break rooms must be the minimum standard at major interchanges like this one.
“Thanks to the bravery of this member and our strong Union delegates and Health and Safety Representatives, we’ll keep fighting for drivers on the Sunshine Coast and around Queensland.”
The opening of room came after a Sunshine Coast bus driver and TWU member was attacked while sitting in his bus during his lunch break.
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Following the attack, the TWU highlighted the lack of a safe and secure room for drivers to take their breaks and called for urgent action, before a roundtable was called.
The TWU also called for the immediate reinstatement of the Bus Safety Forum, a stakeholder group to address safety issues that was scrapped by the government in April.
The forum has now returned, giving drivers and the union an avenue to take their concerns directly to Translink, the state government and the transport minister.
