Two bus drivers were assaulted within one hour of each other in Auckland on Saturday night.
Police said they were called to Customs Street East at about 7.40pm after a bus driver was punched several times by a passenger.
A 58-year-old man was arrested at the scene and scheduled to appear at Auckland District Court on Monday charged with assault with intent to injure.
About 8.30pm, police said they received a report that another bus driver had been assaulted by a passenger on a bus in Grey Lynn. The passenger fled the scene.
Tramways Union president Gray Froggatt said attacks on drivers were terrible and should not happen.
Froggat said both drivers were recovering at home after being discharged from hospital.
The Transport Agency announced last week tghat plexiglass driver protection screens would be installed on all Auckland buses by 2026.
The transport agency had allocated $15 million to improving safety for bus drivers, including screens and on-board live CCTV which was being trialled on 30 buses.
Froggatt said safety measures including screens could not come soon enough.
“At least it’s a start. It’s unfortunate it has taken so long to get to this stage.”
He said the number of assaults had been increasing since Covid-19 and drivers urgently needed more protection.
“This has been going on for some time.
“We’d like to have a police officer on every bus but that’s not practical.”
Hayley Courtney from union representing bus drivers says violence on public transport has reached “crisis” levels. (Source: Breakfast)
Auckland Transport has been approached for comment.
By Jessica Hopkins of rnz.co.nz
