Auckland bus drivers are calling for a stop work meeting to discuss their safety following a punching incident on Saturday morning.
Rajnish Trehan, a bus driver from Roskill depot, was hit by a man who wouldn’t pay and required hospital care for stitches and emergency dental work.
The drivers are concerned about their ongoing safety and are requesting a full investigation by WorkSafe into the attack.
Trehan are disappointed by the company’s response and are seeking a full investigation into the incident.
The frequency of violence towards bus drivers has been quieter, but the frequency of incidents is increasing again. The need for security screens has been discussed for some time.
New buses will come equipped with screens, but retrofitting the 2000-odd existing buses may take some time.
Emergency protocols were followed, and Kinetic, which owns bus company NZ Bus, confirmed Trehan’s assault.
Bus company immediately notified the police and ambulance service and sent out a support team to assist Trehan. Police are investigating the assault and are seeking information from anyone who saw it.
The drivers are working to address the issue and ensure the safety of their fellow bus drivers.
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