Local bus drivers are pleading for more protection after several workers were violently assaulted by passengers last week.

Sadly, over the past month, reports of abuse against transport employees have skyrocketed.

Drivers were punched, threatened and even “fart sprayed” while on shift, according to Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Tram and Bus divisional president Peter Grech.

Those events come as a breaking point for the workforce, after two drivers were violently assaulted by a group of teenage boys during a school run.

On Thursday 13 February, police were notified of an incident where three males were fighting on a bus.

The driver stopped at New Lambton Heights and asked them to get off but was assaulted by one of the boys as they were exiting the vehicle.

A short time later, the males boarded another bus and began causing a disturbance to other passengers.

The second driver stopped at Glendale where everyone alighted.

However, the three males allegedly forced open the rear door and proceeded to assault the worker.

Both drivers suffered minor injuries and, thankfully, did not need to be taken to hospital.

Following extensive inquiries, two boys, both aged 14, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of assault.

They will appear before children’s court on Monday 24 February.

Mr Grech said the incidents represented a wider issue significantly impacting the workforce.

“Our drivers are facing abuse and threats every week,” he stated.

“This tells us the current safety measures aren’t working.

“These aren’t just statistics – these are real people being put at risk while providing an essential service to our community, yet they’re being subjected to abuse while doing it.”

The organisation is calling on the private transport operator, Keolis Downer, to take action and instate further measures to protect drivers from violence.

A list of demands has been presented including additional police assistance across the network – particularly during high-risk periods, increased presence of revenue protection across all routes to manage fare compliance and reduce driver confrontations, and improved incident reporting systems to better track and respond to safety threats.

“Keolis Downer needs to act now,” Mr Grech said.

“We simply can’t wait until someone gets seriously hurt before taking action.

“Our drivers are not earning a lot of money.

“They go out every day to feed their families, they’re just doing a job.

“They don’t deserve to go home any differently to the way they came.”

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