Article: Bus drivers given DNA kits to catch spitters

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 10th September 2009 page one online here!

Bus drivers given DNA kits to catch spitters

Bus drivers given DNA kits to catch spitters
Article from: MX

Torny Jensen of MX

September 10, 2009 04:15pm

BUS drivers in Brisbane have been given DNA test kits in a bid to catch out spitting commuters.
More than 100 drivers have been equipped with the spit kits as part of a trial, Brisbane City Council has revealed.

Only drivers based out of the Garden City bus depot have been issued with the kits to date.

All buses running out of the depot have also been fitted with large signs saying: Spitting is unacceptable.

Bus operators are now equipped with DNA kits to assist with the apprehension of offenders.

But the council confirmed none of the kits had actually been used.

Public and Active Transport chair Cr Jane Prentice said the signs and kits were designed to work as a deterrent and admitted there isn't a widespread problem with spitting on buses.

Only about eight spitting incidents on buses are reported in Brisbane each year.

The council said it had no immediate plans to roll the scheme out across other depots.

Each DNA kit contains one re-sealable biohazard bag; two Copan swabs; one saw-tooth evidence tape; one pair of latex gloves; two Mediswabs; and, one photocopy of Evidence Collection Pack Procedures.

[p858snake]

How much are they spending on something that is only reported/"happens" eight times a year?

[WTN]

I've seen the labels pop up on a few buses, but never thought about (yet alone saw) anyone spitting in a closed space like a bus.  Why all the fuss?