National

Queensland bus driver abuse rising: report

By AAP Newswire

Sep 7, 2022

A line up of buses on a bridge in Brisbane — A report claims Queensland bus drivers are still being abused in record numbers. -AAP Image

Violence against Queensland bus drivers has reached "epidemic" proportions and safety measures are failing to prevent attacks, a new report claims.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

More than 700 drivers surveyed across the state report being abused, spat on or physically attacked, according to left-leaning think tank the McKell Institute.

Incidents of verbal abuse, obscene language and rude gestures have risen by nine per cent in the past financial year.

However, the data shows a significant decrease of 45 per cent in serious assaults in 2021, with 11 incidents compared to 19 assaults in 2019.

Despite the decrease, McKell Institute's Sarah Mawhinney said drivers have been "terrorised" and there is no evidence government changes have made the workplace safer for bus drivers.

"Violence against bus drivers has progressively reached an epidemic level in Queensland," she said.

"This report shows the state government has not done enough to protect our state's transport workers, who are essential to the running of our state."

A spokesman for Transport Minister Mark Bailey said driver safety barriers had been installed in new urban buses to protect drivers from unacceptable behaviour.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press