Article: School bus driver 'assaulted' by female Coombabah High student

[Golliwog]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/school-bus-driver-assaulted-by-female-coombabah-high-student/story-e6freoof-1225872915580

School bus driver 'assaulted' by female Coombabah High student
by Paul Weston From: The Sunday Mail (Qld) May 30, 2010 12:00AM

POLICE are investigating the assault of a male bus driver who was allegedly punched and scratched on the face by a female school student on the Gold Coast.
The 51-year-old driver is on leave after the incident involving a teenage student from Coombabah State High School on his bus last Monday.

Drivers say the northern Gold Coast school run is gaining a horror reputation due to several incidents involving girls in the past 12 months.

Transport Workers Union Gold Coast delegate Amanda Rigby said frightened female drivers were either taking sick leave to avoid the school or dropping pay not to take the route.

She said the male driver was "pretty upset" after the student finally left the bus and he faced more verbal abuse from her female mates as he continued to drive.

A report by the injured driver explains how the incident was sparked when he asked the student, thought to be 15, and her friends to show their bus passes.

The teenager allegedly told the bus driver to "p%ss off you d--khead", leading him to leave the driver's seat and seek help from a male teacher at the bus stop outside the school. The teacher was verbally abused and contacted a deputy principal who interviewed the student before escorting her back on the bus.

About five minutes after the bus began driving down Oxley Drive, the experienced driver who recognised the students, asked the female student if she was getting off at the next stop.

In his incident report, he said the student tossed a sandwich at him as she passed and then punched and scratched his head in what was a "30-second frenzied attack".

Once outside the bus the student began pushing the emergency buttons.

Police confirmed an investigation has been launched after a complaint by the driver who had made a statement.

"The initial complaint was made to Broadbeach police. Our Child Protection Unit is following it up," a spokesman said.

A TransLink spokesman said Surfside bus company and the school had begun an investigation but no recommendations have been made.

[ozbob]

There is a major problem with the behaviour of some cohorts of passengers. To the extent that some bus companies are finding difficult to retain and attract drivers.  A major education and behavioural change campaign is in order.

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 May 2010

SEQ:  Bus passenger behaviour education campaign call

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said there are increasing problems with the behaviour of some groups of passengers on buses.  The problem is particularly acute with some school bus runs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A report in today's media just further highlights a worsening situation with the behaviour of some bus passengers (1).  Constant behavioural issues, particularly on school buses is making it very difficult for the drivers, and the bus companies are having increasing problems attracting and retaining drivers."

"Driving a bus in the chaos that is the roads in south-east Queensland is difficult and stressful enough without having to cope with out of control passengers."

"We call on the Department of Transport and the Department of Education to address this issue promptly.  Schools may need to consider the placement of security guards on the worst runs, and conduct extensive education campaigns. Soon or later out of control  behaviour issues may actually lead to serious injury if drivers are distracted.  Time for action!"

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/school-bus-driver-assaulted-by-female-coombabah-high-student/story-e6freoof-1225872915580

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Golliwog]

It really is quite disgusting behaviour which makes me ashamed to say I'm part of the same generation as them. But it is a trend that is increasing amoungst the youth, that they think they can do what ever they want, and get away with it. Quite sad really.

[ozbob]

I have had some brief discussions with a number of bus operators lately, it is becoming a major problem as the impact on drivers is making them quit.

Behaviour issues also exist on the rail services as well, but the crew are more isolated from the direct impacts than in the case of the bus drivers.  QR Passenger does have a strong program with the schools, but now and again issues do blow up.  QRP staff often go out to the schools and conduct sessions as well.

[p858snake]

Not discussing the wider issue, But why was a student which presented a problem (and two staff members had to intervene) at the school placed on the bus anyway?

Although not a perfect solution, but maybe if more TO's were on the buses especially for school services and the likes....

[Golliwog]

Probably something to do with the no child left behind program. Or because the two teachers didnt want to have to babysit the girl until her parents could come pick her up.

[Otto]

Probably something to do with the no child left behind program. Or because the two teachers didnt want to have to babysit the girl until her parents could come pick her up.

Spot on !!!

[Golliwog]

Surely though there should be some sort of warning system for kids that are going to act like her. Like 3 strikes and you're out. Although attacking the bus driver should be an instant 'no-more-bus-rides for-you' for 2 weeks at least. Its not only about trying to teach the kid a lesson, but also to have the parents wake up to what their children are doing. I guarantee you most of them are blissfully unawares of more than half the stuff like this that they get up to.

[p858snake]

Surely though there should be some sort of warning system for kids that are going to act like her. Like 3 strikes and you're out. Although attacking the bus driver should be an instant 'no-more-bus-rides for-you' for 2 weeks at least. Its not only about trying to teach the kid a lesson, but also to have the parents wake up to what their children are doing. I guarantee you most of them are blissfully unawares of more than half the stuff like this that they get up to.

There is no easy way to check names so it isn't that easy, even if they all had gocards they could just pay by cash anyway and bypass that. And as for Attacking people, that is assault, And that should be followed up properly with police reports and action taken from there.

[mufreight]

The system used to be that being a student traveling on a school transport service this student would have been travelling on a bus pass which provides the students identity, very easy for the driver or the school to identitify the student and an assault used to mean a ban on that student traveling on a school service or the withdrawal of the student pass.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Abuse of bus drivers sparks call for security on school routes

Abuse of bus drivers sparks call for security on school routes

    * Robyn Ironside
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * June 14, 2010 9:56PM

SECURITY ALARM: Bus driver Lonnie Nielsen is petitioning for better security after being verbally abused by students and parents. Picture: Mark Cranitch. Source: The Courier-Mail

A LOGAN-BASED bus driver is leading a statewide push for supervisors to be placed on school-runs amid a growing number of attacks.

Lonnie Nielsen said he had been verbally abused and physically threatened by the parents of students at a Hillcrest bus stop, simply for taking down the details of unruly children.

The incidents on May 4 and 5 prompted Mr Nielsen to launch a petition seeking better protection for school bus drivers.

Sponsored by Labor MP Evan Moorhead, the petition wants bus operators to have more power to protect drivers from violence, threats and abuse from students and their carers.

Mr Nielsen said the code of conduct for school bus travel gave drivers the option of refusing to transport students, but in reality that never happened.

"We've been told we can't refuse anyone bus travel after the Daniel Morcombe case," he said. "But there should be a process where these problems can be remedied very quickly."

Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe was last seen at a bus stop in 2003 on his way to a local shopping centre.

Hughie Williams from the Transport Workers Union said violence against school bus drivers was an ongoing issue, which seemed to be getting worse.

"There was a serious one on the Gold Coast recently, where a 14-year-old schoolgirl scratched a driver's face until it bled," Mr Williams said.

"We've had drivers hit with bottles of water and apples just because kids are showing off in front of each other in the buses."

Mr Nielsen said he would like to see supervisors installed on buses to keep watch on the children's behaviour.

"Bus drivers shouldn't be left on buses on their own," he said. "I know it would cost more but when you're trying to drive a bus it's very difficult to supervise the kids as well."

Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens' Associations president Margaret Black said any issues arising on school buses needed to be dealt with on a "case by case basis".

"I'd be surprised if all buses needed (extra security) Queensland-wide. Where the local bus committee sees the need for a bus monitor, we would certainly support that," Ms Black said.

A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesman said school bus drivers were advised to immediately report dangerous behaviour to police.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th June 2010

Greetings,

Yet another article in the Courier Mail today (15th June) calling for some action to address the appalling work conditions for many of our bus drivers ( Abuse of bus drivers sparks call for security on school routes http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/abuse-of-bus-drivers-sparks-call-for-security-on-school-routes/story-e6freoof-1225879641433 )

Some positive action is needed to today.  Why are calls for action dismissed?  Will it take a disaster before anything happens?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

===========================================

Media Release 30 May 2010 Re-released 15th June 2010

SEQ:  Bus passenger behaviour education campaign call

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said there are increasing problems with the behaviour of some groups of passengers on buses.  The problem is particularly acute with some school bus runs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A report in today's media just further highlights a worsening situation with the behaviour of some bus passengers (1).  Constant behavioural issues, particularly on school buses is making it very difficult for the drivers, and the bus companies are having increasing problems attracting and retaining drivers."

"Driving a bus in the chaos that is the roads in south-east Queensland is difficult and stressful enough without having to cope with out of control passengers."

"We call on the Department of Transport and the Department of Education to address this issue promptly.  Schools may need to consider the placement of security guards on the worst runs, and conduct extensive education campaigns. Soon or later out of control  behaviour issues may actually lead to serious injury if drivers are distracted.  Time for action!"

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/school-bus-driver-assaulted-by-female-coombabah-high-student/story-e6freoof-1225872915580

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

E-petition at Queensland Parliament -->  http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1460&lIndex=-1

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the growing number and severity of violence, threats and abuse towards bus drivers on school bus runs from students and their carers.



Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to provide more power for bus operators and bus drivers to protect bus drivers from violence, threats and abuse from students and their carers.

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane click --> here!

School bus drivers say supervisors needed

15 June 2010 , 8:06 AM by Spencer Howson

Have school bus routes become so dangerous that drivers need supervisors?

One Logan-based bus driver certainly thinks so.

Lonnie Nielsen is petitioning for greater protection of drivers, after an incident at a Hillcrest bus stop where he felt physically threatened by parents of students.

Hughie Williams is the Qld Branch Secretary Transport Workers Union:

[somebody]

Well specifically what sort of power should the bus driver have?  To kick the kid off?  To strike back, beyond self defence?  To have the swine arrested?

I suppose I would go with the last one.

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

Out-of-control students risk bus safety

Out-of-control students risk bus safety

By James Kelly

A Brisbane-based public transport support group has warned it is only a matter of time until out-of-control students onboard local school buses cause a fatal crash.

Robert Dow from the community group "Rail Back On Track" says bus drivers at Caboolture, Logan, Ipswich and inner Brisbane have told him bad behaviour from school children is making the job dangerous.

"It's unreasonable to expect bus drivers to have to put up with out-of-control students, particularly when missiles are being thrown on buses which, in turn, can distract the driver and cause a crash," he said.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) spokesman Hughie Williams says the problem is getting worse.

"Driver after driver is being assaulted by school kids," he said.

They have have called on the Transport and Education departments to put security guards or supervisors on buses and conduct an education campaign for students.

[Golliwog]

I still think that telling the student they can't ride the bus home, even if its just for one day, will teach them a lesson. I think having a 2nd person on the bus with the driver, be it teacher or a security guard, would work too, but that isn't really necessary on many routes, theres just a few bad ones.

[ButFli]

How does kicking the student off the bus teach them a lesson? Kids act out like this to get attention and to rebel against authority. Kick them off the bus and not only have you just given them a whole heap of attention from the teacher, parent or other person who has to get them home, you've also given them justification (in their mind) to dislike people in authority.

[#Metro]

Detention. Works everytime.

[somebody]

I still think that telling the student they can't ride the bus home, even if its just for one day, will teach them a lesson. I think having a 2nd person on the bus with the driver, be it teacher or a security guard, would work too, but that isn't really necessary on many routes, theres just a few bad ones.

I do not know how this could be done with "duty of care" principles.

[Golliwog]

Tell them to toughen up. I know all this duty of care stuff is a good thing. But its really getting to the stage where any of the punishment methods that actually do something (in my opinion anyway) can't be used so all they can do is things that don't really do anything. If a kid is yelling and screaming and carrying-on on the bus and all you can do is tell them "Stop that, or I'll tell your parents/teacher" which doesn't do anything because the driver wouldn't know the students name so can't really follow through on either of those. And kids know it. They know that there's sweet FA that the driver can do to get them to stop playing up so they don't care.

Besides, I reakon once one or 2 kids get kicked off the bus and forced to either walk home or call a parent to pick them up, most kids will cool it and start acting decently. I know if my parents had to come pick me up after something like that I would cop an earful as to why I thought it appropriate to carry on like I had been.

[longboi]

Peer pressure can be used in this situation as well. If some kids are mucking around on the bus, the driver could pull over and simply not go anywhere until they settle down; Pretty quickly the majority of the other kids (especially ones with other buses to catch) will get antsy and get the others to settle down (You'd hope =P).

[somebody]

That was exactly how full fare paying passengers were guaranteed a seat on my school buses.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I didn't live to far from the school so the school bus run we took wasn't that long, but we learnt our lesson after some kids kept pressing the stop bell. The driver got sick of it, so he stopped and refused to continue until someone got off the bus. Funnily enough that never happened again, although I don't remember seeing the driver again either.

[longboi]

Yup, same thing happened on (multiple) occasions on my old school bus I have to say though, it seems theres usually certain drivers who consistently find themselves in these sorts of situations.

[ClintonL94]

The 2 school buses I use are fine, after 4 years of using these school buses I have never witnessed a fight or any stupidity etc.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Claim teens have sex on school bus

Claim teens have sex on school bus

Josephine Gillespie | 18th June 2010

AN Ipswich school bus driver who made headlines last year when he dropped unruly kids off at a police station says the behaviour of some students is still appalling.

Graham King has also revealed that some students are even having sex on buses while being ferried to and from school.

Mr King spoke out after concerns were raised by a public transport pressure group about the behaviour of children using school buses across south-east Queensland.

Mr King, who is a relief bus driver on several Ipswich school routes, said he shared the same concerns and said a hardcore of troublemakers were endangering the safety of other bus users.

He said he had found used contraceptives and cannabis joints after ending his school runs, and that other drivers had reported incidents of students engaging in sexual acts on buses.

"About 60 per cent of kids are good, but the other 40 per cent ruin it for everybody," Mr King said.

"You are constantly looking in the mirror to see what the students are doing, and not looking at the cars in front of you.

"The drivers have to have 100 pairs of eyes just to get the kids home safely."

Mr King, who has driven school buses in Ipswich region for more than 40 years, caused a sensation in February 2009 when he lost patience with a bus load of Ipswich students and took them to Yamanto police station for a dressing-down from officers.

He received messages of support from across Australia, as well as Europe and America after The Queensland Times report gained global attention.

He said that other misbehaviour, such as students throwing food and objects from windows, fighting and burning holes in seats, was still commonplace.

Earlier this week public transport lobby group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said bus drivers across south-east Queensland had told him the behaviour from students was making the job unsafe. In the worst cases, he claimed drivers were being assaulted.

"Some drivers have had enough and are talking about quitting," Mr Dow said.

"They don't want to do certain bus runs because the students are out of control."

He said schools and parents had a responsibility to ensure youths had a clear idea of what behaviour was acceptable in public spaces.

A spokesman for Bus Queensland, which is responsible for school buses in the Ipswich, Redbank and Goodna areas, said: "I don't know that it is a dangerous job, but I think it is a difficult job," he said.

"There is very little drivers can do to modify the behaviour of students on the bus."

Mr Dow has suggested bus runs with serious issues should have supervisors, in the form of P&C representatives or teachers.

[#Metro]

I thought about this. I would support the driver.
Some buses may never need a guard or teacher on them, but in cases where it is required there should be one.

Often, but not always, the bus that transports the schoolkids is the old bus or the worst ones in the fleet.
Being kids, the behaviour may need someone else on board. Parents also expect that their kids will be safe and that someone will
be there to protect their children. Adults on late night trains and night link buses get guards, so this isn't unreasonable.

Free transport could be given to a teacher in return for taking a trip on the bus with the kids and supervising.
The buses should also be low floor, air conditioned and otherwise at the same standard that any other commuter would expect.

See, the poor state of many buses, the lack of any guard or supervision of children, the potential for being hurt or bullied on the bus, and parents perceptions about lack of safety in having their kids go home by themselves mean that parents will often drive their car to the school, causing a sea of congestion in and around schools. Giving a teacher a free ride home at the end of the school day is a low cost way of combating the congestion that engulfs schools at 3.30 pm each day.

Its important to look at the big picture.

[ozbob]

Editorial Queensland Times 18th June 2010

Time to go heavy on kids in buses

[ozbob]

Update from Brisbanetimes click here!

Schoolchildren are having sex on bus: driver

Schoolchildren are having sex on bus: driver
COURTNEY TRENWITH
June 18, 2010 - 12:41PM

Parents have said schools are powerless to act on allegations students are having sex on school buses.

Veteran Queensland bus driver Graham King today made the claims in the The Queensland Times, saying the unruly students were also smoking cannabis on buses.

Mr King, who has driven buses in Ipswich for 40 years, has discovered used condoms and marijuana joints at the end of school runs.

He said other drivers had reported students performing sexual acts on buses.

Parents and Citizens Association president Margaret Black said part of the problem was the inability of schools to act on complaints of poor student behaviour.

''If the child has been misbehaving on the bus and the ... child has been banned from the bus for two days, the school can't impose another penalty,'' she said.

''If there's children smoking cannabis and having sex on a school bus, that's totally inappropriate and the parents in that area need to meet with the local school bus community and work through the issues.''

Mr King is at his ''wits' end'' with misbehaving children throwing food, fighting and burning holes in seats.

''You are constantly looking in the mirror to see what the students are doing, and not looking at the cars in front of you,'' Mr King said.

''The drivers have to have 100 pairs of eyes just to get the kids home safely.''

The complaints follow recent reports of a 14-year-old schoolgirl attacking a Gold Coast bus driver.

Earlier this week, a Logan driver claimed he was threatened by the parents of a student after he complained about the child's behaviour.

Public transport lobby group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said school bus drivers across south-east Queensland were refusing to take on some routes because of the atrocious behaviour of students.

''There comes a point where it becomes unacceptable,'' he said.

''Some drivers are quitting [or] they're choosing not to do certain routes.

''It's very difficult for a driver who's got an out-of-control passenger and they're negotiating a bus through heavy traffic.

''Potentially, it's very dangerous.''

Queensland parliament is being urged to increase powers for bus operators and drivers to crack down on violence, threats and abuse from students.

Almost 100 people have signed an online petition created on June 8 by a Logan-based bus driver, Lennie Nielson, who claims the frequency and severity of attacks on school bus drivers is increasing.

Mr King said while not all students misbehaved, the situation had not improved since he made international headlines in February last year when he drove a bus load of students to a police station after he was hit in the back of a head with a projectile.

Students were also causing a ruckus on trains, Mr Dow said.

''But the impact on the crew isn't as direct as it is on a bus, so it's the bus drivers that tend to wear it,'' he said.

Mr Dow is calling for supervisors - such as members of the Parents and Citizens Association, a teacher or a community volunteer - to be immediately placed on school buses to help bring the situation under control.

However, he insisted longer-term measures needed to be taken.

''There needs to be an education campaign explaining to students why we need certain behaviour,'' Mr Dow said.

''Drivers need a safe working environment. They've got a pretty difficult task ... if students are making it such that the bus driver's unable to concentrate on driving.

''That's a risky situation so it needs to be addressed.''

Margaret Black believed there was only a small percentage of students mucking up on school buses, but the culprits needed to be dealt with by the school community.

''That's got to stop," she said.

- with Josephine Gillespie

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

'Bus drivers need protection'

'Bus drivers need protection'

Josephine Gillespie | 19th June 2010

A FORMER Ipswich bus driver has called on Queensland parliament to increase powers for bus drivers to crack down on violence and abuse from students.

Graham King, the bus driver who took a detour to the police station with misbehaving school children onboard, says bad behaviour continues.
Sarah Harvey

FORMER Ipswich bus driver Lonnie Nielsen has called on Queensland parliament to increase powers for bus operators and drivers to crack down on violence and abuse from students.

The now Logan-based driver, who claims the frequency and severity of attacks on school bus drivers was increasing, has created an online petition calling for protection of bus drivers.

He said the story in The Queensland Times in which veteran bus driver Graham King alleged that students were having sex on school buses, smoking cannabis, fighting and burning holes in seats while "atrocious", did not come as a surprise.

"I have known of kids trying to light up aerosol cans on the bus and hitting other kids while on the bus," Mr Nielsen said.

He said he would like to see supervisors installed on buses to keep watch on children's behaviour.

The call comes as public transport support group Rail Back on Track, called for members of the Parents and Citizens Association, a teacher or a community volunteer to be placed on school buses to help bring the situation under control.

Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Metropolitan West spokesman Garry Cislowski said he was sceptical how effective it would be to have parents riding in the bus.

"They would have to be riding up the front facing the children...buses aren't set up for that, which would mean asking them to stand," he said.

"If a bus is travelling upwards of 100 kilometres per hour, we wouldn't have them standing because of the safety implications."

Mr Cislowski said there were remedies if students misbehaved, such as putting the student off the bus and arranging for them to be picked up, to at the extreme of banning the student from the bus.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said non-dangerous behavioural issues were managed by the school and bus operator and could lead to a suspension from school or bus.

"School bus drivers should immediately report dangerous or destructive behaviour to police for appropriate action," he said.

[Golliwog]

Why do they have to be up the front? They could sit up the back facing the children. Or you know, do that thing where you turn your head?

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Six charged over assault of bus driver on the Gold Coast

Six charged over assault of bus driver on the Gold Coast

    * From: AAP
    * June 20, 2010 11:53AM

SIX teenage boys have been charged after a bus driver was terrorised on the Gold Coast.

The boys - aged 14 to 18 - allegedly attempted to block the driver's view while he was driving, spat on him and then kicked out a glass door panel on May 17 in Mudgeeraba.

The group was tracked down by police after a tip-off from the public.

They were charged on Sunday with interfere with a motor vehicle, stealing, wilful damage, public nuisance and common assault.

The youths will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act, while the 18-year-old Nerang man and the 17-year-old Mudgeeraba man are due appear in the Southport Magistrate's Court on July 15.

[Golliwog]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Six charged over assault of bus driver on the Gold Coast

Six charged over assault of bus driver on the Gold Coast

    * From: AAP
    * June 20, 2010 11:53AM

SIX teenage boys have been charged after a bus driver was terrorised on the Gold Coast.

The boys - aged 14 to 18 - allegedly attempted to block the driver's view while he was driving, spat on him and then kicked out a glass door panel on May 17 in Mudgeeraba.

The group was tracked down by police after a tip-off from the public.

They were charged on Sunday with interfere with a motor vehicle, stealing, wilful damage, public nuisance and common assault.

The youths will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act, while the 18-year-old Nerang man and the 17-year-old Mudgeeraba man are due appear in the Southport Magistrate's Court on July 15.

The mind boggles.