Bus Driver Safety Review

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/bus-driver-safety-review

In September 2016, the Queensland Government initiated a review into bus driver safety following an increase in violent incidents including verbal and physical aggression towards bus drivers.

The Queensland Bus Driver Safety Review was released in August 2017 and recommended 20 initiatives that could improve safety for bus drivers.

At the same time, the Government released an Interim Government Response with a commitment to further investigate these recommendations, including strategies to implement key recommendations.

The final response, which is now complete, details recommendations that have been implemented, are underway or will be completed in the future. These aim to improve the way we deliver services and raise awareness about acceptable behaviour while travelling on public transport to provide a safer environment for everyone.

We are committed to working with industry to implement changes and to continue to look for ways to make improvements.

Five point plan

The Government's five-point plan is shown below.



Reports

    Final government response (PDF, 4MB)
    Passenger code of conduct
    Interim government response (PDF, 9.1MB)
    Queensland Bus Driver Safety Review (PDF, 2.4MB)

What's next?

The Queensland Government will roll out the five-point safety package for bus drivers state-wide, including grants for driver safety barriers and anti-shatter film.

We'll keep this webpage up-to-date with developments including further details on the grants program (and how to apply) and the public awareness campaign.

[SurfRail]

50% grants for barriers is a pretty pissant response.  It just means we will end up with flimsy barriers that don't actually offer any meaningful protection, like the "monkey cages" in Perth or the even flimsier "hoop" barriers appearing in Melbourne.  There is no reason not to put the driver in a proper cab.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Noisy music, feet on seats and bulky bags shunned if you want ticket to ride

Noisy music will be outlawed on Brisbane buses and school children will be asked to give up their seats for adults, under new rules for passengers.

A TransLink code of conduct was introduced on Friday, as part of a range of measures designed to tackle violence against bus drivers.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey released the code as one prong of the government's final response to the Bus Driver Safety Review, which will include $3.93 million for protective driver safety barriers to be installed in buses.

Queensland bus operators will be able to apply for 50/50 government grants to install driver safety barriers in buses which travel in high-risk areas.

"Operators will be able to apply for the bus driver barrier grants, which will give them flexibility to install their choice of a full or partial barrier, in consultation with their workforce," Mr Bailey said.

There will also be $1.54 million for anti-shatter window film installation on all Queensland buses.

Brisbane City Council buses have had shatterproof glass, designed to prevent windows being destroyed if objects were thrown at them, installed for several years.

Mr Bailey said the government's plan would tackle violence against bus drivers with long-term benefits for staff and passengers.

"No one should be afraid while simply doing their job," he said.

There will also be a public awareness campaign promoting safe travel behaviours, while de-escalation training and fare evasion awareness will be rolled out, and senior network officers deployed where they were most needed.

The community was shocked when Brisbane bus driver Manmeet Sharma was burnt to death in 2016 after pulling up to a stop in Moorooka.

Brisbane deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council welcomed progress on bus driver safety.

"Council did its own review last year and we've been implementing the recommendations of our review," he said.

"But looking forward, we would like to see driver protection barriers rolled out and we would like to work with the state on that."

Cr Schrinner said the council surveyed its bus drivers and they supported the introduction of driver protection barriers.

Queensland Bus Industry Council executive director David Tape said any additional safety improvements for drivers was good news.

"There have been incidents that have caused concern among bus drivers, particularly in recent years," he said.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington said bus drivers deserved to be safe at work, and the report should have been handed down earlier.

A report in August last year revealed bus drivers were routinely exposed to violence, especially verbal abuse, with attacks higher in the afternoon, nights, on Fridays and on specific routes and regions.

Here are some excerpts from the passenger code of conduct:

    Treat all public transport staff and other passengers with courtesy and respect. Verbal or physical aggression towards staff or other passengers will not be tolerated.

    Report any incidents of anti-social behaviour (including incidents of bullying, harassment, discrimination and vilification of any kind) to either a driver or public transport staff at the time the incident occurs.

    Please let everyone disembark the service before boarding.

    Be mindful of other passengers, such as people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant women or people with small children, and offer them your seat.

    If you're a student travelling on a concession fare, please let adults have your seat if the service is full.

    Keep doorways and walkways free from bags and other items, and please don't put your feet or bag on seats.

    Please don't bring excessive luggage on board, or occupy more than one seat. Use the storage racks on the service if available.

    Animals are not allowed on a public transport service, unless they are an approved guide, hearing, or assistance animal.

    Food and drink is not allowed to be consumed on board services and please take any rubbish with you.

    Use earphones when listening to music or watching videos on a personal device, and keep the volume at a reasonable level. Please don't play musical instruments on a public transport service.

[verbatim9]

7News ----->

Buses will finally be safer for passengers and drivers. Protective barriers and shatter-proof windows will be installed in buses across the state. https://t.co/Y8XaZHyZe5 @ChloeAmandaB #7News https://t.co/f8mcYd8Q1A

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1005000089897615360

[techblitz]

and fare evasion awareness will be rolled out, and senior network officers deployed where they were most needed.

will believe that when I see more SNO`s catching freeloaders transferring between bus and rail @ Salisbury station,through acacia ridge and onto inala.
Also need to start looking at full police/sno operations at inala plaza with all those 100`s that pull in during school/work peaks.
Just the odd one here and there and I'm happy.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1006413754362261504

[SurfRail]

I don't see how that offers any kind of meaningful protection whatsoever.  Waste of money.

Do it properly or don't bother.

[verbatim9]

I don't see how that offers any kind of meaningful protection whatsoever.  Waste of money.

Do it properly or don't bother.

Probably prevents attract from behind?

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[burgo]

Is that the barrier that will be installed on new busses? or is that the retrofit? It's passable as a retrofit, but a new barrier on anew bus should be more protective.

[ozbob]

I don't see how that offers any kind of meaningful protection whatsoever.  Waste of money.

Do it properly or don't bother.

I am hearing TfB drivers not happy with this design.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Driver barriers to be installed on Brisbane buses

Driver-protection barriers will start being installed on Brisbane buses from July 1.

The installation of the barriers was a finding of the Bus Driver Safety Review that the state government ordered in September 2015.

One month after the review was ordered Manmeet Sharma died during an unprovoked attack while he was behind the wheel of a Brisbane City Council bus.

In May 2017 the council released its own independent review, completed by Aussafe Consulting, into the death of Mr Sharma, which found a driver barrier could be helpful depending on the nature of the incident.

On Friday, Transport Minister Mark Bailey released the government's response to the Bus Driver Safety Review, which included $3.93 million for protective driver-safety barriers, which operators could apply for as part of a 50-50 government grant.

On Tuesday, council's public and active transport chairman Adrian Schrinner announced the council would begin rolling out barriers on buses.

"From July 1 we will commence our program of rolling out barriers and we will be applying for that 50 per cent grant as soon as we are required to do so," he said.

"We carried out consultation with our drivers last year and there was a strong response from our drivers for some sort of barrier."

Cr Schrinner said he envisaged the barriers would be a partial barrier and that any new buses ordered in the coming financial years would come off the production line equipped with the driver protection barriers.

Opposition councillor Jared Cassidy welcomed the announcement barriers would be installed on Brisbane's buses.

"We have been calling for this for some time," he said.

"Barriers won't resolve all issues on buses, but they will certainly help to protect drivers from physical assault."

[verbatim9]

In the media once again there has been terrible attack on another driver in Logan. Why a person has to stoop so low and commit such a crime?

We need fully enclosed driver cabs on all future new electric buses.

[verbatim9]

This should be a new Australian standard and adopted by all jurisdictions.

[aldonius]

Today's awfulness was thrown in through the drivers-side window! Christ on a bike.

[ozbob]

4BC: Renewed push for security screens on all buses after 'abhorrent attack' on driver

> https://www.4bc.com.au/bus-driver-rushed-to-hospital-struck-with-mystery-substance/