Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bus drivers march through Brisbane for safer conditions

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/9/29/transport-minister-announces-review-of-bus-driver-safety

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Transport Minister announces review of bus driver safety

The Palaszczuk Government has committed to a wide-ranging review into bus driver safety across Queensland, after concerns were raised by key stakeholders at the Bus Safety Forum earlier this year.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the review would be undertaken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, in partnership with drivers, industry, unions and government agencies, to identify initiatives to help improve safety.

"People have a right to go to work and come home each day, safe and free from abuse. I stand shoulder to shoulder with our hard working bus drivers who keep our state moving," Minister Hinchliffe said.

"Our Government is serious about driver and passenger safety, and this review will help to determine the effectiveness of current safety systems, polices, infrastructure and training in Queensland.

"The review will conduct an environmental scan, and examine how initiatives across government can complement the current frameworks, and how new initiatives can be funded.

"To ensure we are doing the best by our drivers, previous studies led by government, industry, unions and the tertiary sector will be considered to gain insight into the issue.

"The final report detailing the review's findings will be provided to Government for consideration by March 2017."

Minister Hinchliffe said in the past six months, more than 350 assaults on bus drivers had been reported in Queensland.

"Public transport workers, particularly bus drivers, often fall victim to verbal or physical abuse for simply doing their job," he said.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and through the establishment of the Bus Safety Forum and the implementation of this review, our government is committed to improving the current safety framework.

"The Bus Safety Forum was established earlier this year to bring together representatives from transport groups, unions, academia, advocacy groups and the Queensland Police Service to discuss best practice and engage on the issues of safety."

The Bus Safety Review will:

    Consider previous studies and initiatives by government, industry, unions and the tertiary sector to gain insight and knowledge about issues impacting driver safety
    Examine and assess current safety systems, policies, infrastructure, procedures and training to determine their efficacy in improving driver safety
    Assess initiatives currently underway across government to address driver and passenger safety and how these can complement current safety frameworks and systems.
    Conduct environmental scanning and research on driver safety systems and elements and examine their benefits and practical applicability
    Collaborate with industry, unions, government agencies and key experts to identify potential initiatives that can be demonstrated to improve driver safety
    Investigate funding mechanisms for potential driver safety initiatives for the Government's consideration

[ozbob]

State Government announcing a wide-ranging review into bus driver safety tonight. @KateLJones7 #qldpol #7News https://t.co/Q9rtI6GgVs

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) September 29, 2016

[#Metro]

They're quick to do a safety review, wish they were as quick with bus review!

[Fares_Fair]

Ah yes, Queensland, the State of Review, that is unless of course it includes compulsory preferential voting, 'cause we don't need a review of fundamental democratic principles being skewed to suit a particular political party. 

[ozbob]

Gold Coast trams delayed after a collision with a car on the Gold Coast Highway. #qldtraffic #7News https://t.co/WGV14KCevh

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 5, 2016

[ozbob]

Police say driver in the wrong - performed illegal u-turn in front of tram. g:Link services suspended for time being @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/CnVlqNKceL

— Tom Hartley (@TomHartley_7) October 9, 2016

[ozbob]

A Surfers Paradise man who crashed into a tram has been hit with a heavy fine. @TomHartley_7 #7News #GoldCoast https://t.co/uYF6G7Ufgm

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 9, 2016

[ozbob]

#BREAKING: A van has crashed onto train tracks at Fairfield, rail services disrupted. https://t.co/o1yrqGOjxn #7News pic.twitter.com/gsf2p7TLiP

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 19, 2016

[ozbob]

7 News investigation: CCTV pictures uncover violence against Brisbane bus drivers and passengers. @ErinEdwards7 https://t.co/dMBFpjBzOl

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) November 3, 2016

[ozbob]

A brutal impact, the bus driver fighting for life after collision with a truck at Yarrabilba. 2 others with minor injuries @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/l2jQ77e16g

— Nat Wallace N-A-T (@NatJohnWallace9) November 17, 2016

[ozbob]

Bus fire on #Warrego Highway causes congestion #traffic #bnetraffic pic.twitter.com/emtIzMbFkk

— QLD Times (@qld_times) November 25, 2016

Queensland Times --> Driver escapes after bus catches fire on major highway

A BUS has caught fire on the Warrego Hwy causing afternoon traffic congested.

QPS media reported the fire began at about 2pm near Rustys at Hattonvale.

"No passengers were on board and no one was injured but the bus is extensively damaged," a QPS spokesperson said.

"Only the driver was on board.

"Traffic is congested but the bus is off to the side of the road."

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

[ozbob]

This is not very pleasant.  Bus driver being assaulted by a cyclist ..

Security pictures of a cyclist assaulting a bus driver in the CBD last week. Got info? Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. #bnetraffic pic.twitter.com/FlKYe3lbEw

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) November 29, 2016

[newbris]

This is not very pleasant.  Bus driver being assaulted by a cyclist ..

Not at all pleasant. I am very sympathetic to protecting bus drivers from assaults...I think it is disgusting some of the unprovoked assaults they have to put up with just doing their job.

While no evidence is available I am a little more circumspect in this situation as I cycle that route and know some of the disgusting things a minority of bus drivers do to cyclists that endanger their lives. "If" it was one of those situations I have less sympathy. Of course it would be better not to handle it like that but when someone directly endangers you physically it is hard to control your emotion. I hope I never lose it like this.

Obviously some incident has occurred to cause the cyclist to react but given we don't know what it is it is hard to judge either way. Of course some cyclists are idiots too and it could have been his fault.

Unfortunately I have to say that bus drivers cause me the most grief on the roads...though it is definitely a minority still. They do some absolutely stupid and dangerous things which I still find surprising because I expect them all to be professional drivers and I still stupidly get surprised when the minority act like a vengeful, P plater.

Interesting to note that buses have forward cameras, that knowledge could come in handy one day.

[ozbob]

🚌 WE WON! Bus drivers have won new security screens & barriers for protection from coward assaults https://t.co/24D2Tn13tW #ausunions 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ih2Dm1302h

— TWU Vic-Tas (@TWUVicTas) December 18, 2016

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane bus drivers 'can't wait' for safety review to be finalised

TRANSPORT unions have called for urgent interim safety measures to be implemented to protect bus drivers in the wake of assaults that culminated in a grisly death in October.

Unions rallied in Brisbane City's Reddacliff Place ahead of a Rail Tram and Bus Union meeting with Brisbane City Council today, where officials will ask for more security guards to be placed on bus services until the State Government implements findings from a bus safety review.

The review was fast-tracked to be finalised in March after Brisbane bus driver Manmeet Alisher died when he was set alight at a Moorooka bus stop in October.

Anthony O'Donohue, 48, has been charged with Mr Alisher's murder and the attempted murder of 14 passengers. His mental health is being assessed.

The RTBU, which represents Brisbane bus drivers, was joined by the Transport Workers Union, which represents all other bus drivers in Queensland. Both unions called for employers to do more to protect drivers, but fell short of calling for the State Government to enforce change through regulation.

RTBU assistant state secretary Tom Brown said assaults were continuing.

"The level is so great that drivers' families are constantly ringing them at work now asking them if they're OK — particularly our shift workers," Mr Brown said.

"It's unacceptable. Enough is enough. We've got a lot of faith in the review, but those things are about six months down the track. We think the employer could be doing something now."

Mr Brown asked for more security guards on Brisbane buses until the safety review was complete.

In Brisbane council runs the bus services, but in other areas it is done by a range of private service providers.

"We have some services that have security guards on them at night but not all services," Mr Brown said.

"So the security guards could be expanded in the interim until the safety review recommendations can be implemented."

As part of a submission to the safety review, the RTBU will ask for barriers to be considered for drivers on high-risk routes.

Mr Brown was unable to estimate how the initiative would cost, but said it should not be an issue when safety was concerned.

Transport Worker Union branch secretary Peter Biagani called for jail time for offenders who assaulted bus drivers.

"But at the end of the day, it's up to the courts and the legislation," Mr Biagini said.

"It just needs to ensure that it's tougher penalties than what's there today. "

Mr Biagini was hesitant to support a call for barrier between the drivers and passengers but said he wanted to listen to what the review found.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Bus drivers demand guards to combat violent passengers

Security guards and extra Translink officers should ride on Queensland buses as an interim measure ahead of the findings of a safety review, unionists said on Monday as they protested outside one of their biggest employers.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, along with the Transport Workers' Union, organised the Reddacliff Place protest on Monday ahead of a meeting with Brisbane City Council.

They demanded that employers, including but not limited to the council, introduce interim protection measures ahead of the state government's review, which was expected to be completed by March.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced the safety review in September, almost a month to the day before council bus driver Manmeet Alisher was burnt to death in a horrifying attack at Moorooka.

That review was announced after bus drivers took to the streets in Brisbane to demand safer working conditions.

Mr Alisher's death was also cited as a reason for security screens to be introduced on all Victorian buses.

RTBU assistant state secretary Tom Brown said his members had had enough of being "treated like punching bags".

The RTBU represented Brisbane City Council drivers.

"The level of violence against drivers is unacceptable," Mr Brown said.

"There's a campaign that 'one punch can kill', well one punch can kill a bus driver and our drivers are getting punched in the head several times over when somebody goes after them.

"The level is so great that drivers' families are constantly ringing them at work now, asking them if they're OK."

Mr Brown said while members were keen to see the result of the review, drivers wanted immediate action.

"We've got a lot of faith in the review, but those things are six months down the track," he said.

"We think that the employer could be doing something now."

Mr Brown said measures such as more Translink officers or security guards being assigned to buses and additional signage to warn people they could be prosecuted if they attacked drivers could be introduced immediately.

Longer term, Mr Brown said, "suitable barriers" needed to be looked at and considered and that formed part of the RTBU's submission to the review.

"Obviously, barriers are not an overnight issue; it will take time to get a suitable barrier and then to get them into buses," he said.

"But it's certainly under consideration."

But Transport Workers Union Queensland state secretary Peter Biagini said that approach might not be met with universal approval.

"The drivers out there are hesitant about having barriers around," he said.

"They enjoy the job, where they actually integrate with the passengers, however we all have a duty of care to make sure they're safe.

"If that means, out of this review, that it's in the best interests of all drivers to have barriers on all buses, so be it.

"We're going to listen to what the review says."

Mr Biagini said there was no easy fix to the problem and he did not want the government's review to be rushed.

"If they do it too quick, it's not done properly," he said.

Mr Biagini said the TWU also wanted tougher penalties introduced for people who attacked drivers.

A spokesman for Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the council would watch the results of the government review closely.

"Brisbane City Council has been contributing significantly to this review, working closely with Deloitte, the consultant engaged by (the Department of Transport and Main Roads), to provide detail of our procedures, policies and safety system," he said.

"Council urges the state government to complete and release the outcomes of that review as soon as possible and will work with them on the outcomes of their review."

Mr Hinchliffe said the review's findings were due to be handed to the government in March 2017.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland bus drivers, union call for tougher penalties as attacks continue

Bus drivers want assaults on them to be treated as seriously as those on health and emergency workers, with the union representing them claiming dozens of attacks have already been recorded in the first few weeks of the year.

Key points:

    Queensland Government review into bus driver safety still ongoing, report due in March
    Rail, Tram and Bus Union want interim measures put in place immediately
    It could be months after report is released for recommendations to be implemented

Their call follows the release of two videos exclusively to the ABC showing recent assaults on Queensland bus drivers.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union assistant state secretary Tom Brown said they were just a sample of what had already occurred so far in 2017.

"Enough is enough," Mr Brown said. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> QR denies compromising safety to address driver shortage

QUEENSLAND Rail has denied sending a driver back to work too early to plug holes in its train crew roster after she was involved in a near miss with another train.

The Courier-Mail understands a collision at Northgate was narrowly avoided on December 11 after the other driver took evasive action.

The driver was back at work three weeks after the ordeal, and had another near miss the following week on January 7.

A QR spokeswoman said the first Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incident – in which a driver passes a red light – was investigated, the driver was evaluated and passed a competency test before returning.

"We absolutely do not and would not compromise safety to address the current driver shortage,'' she said.

"The driver involved in the 11 December SPAD incident was investigated, evaluated, coached, then required to pass an on-track evaluation assessment and was deemed competent to return to driving duties on 29 December, commencing duties on 30 December."

She said "rigorous processes" were in place to identify issues, such as testing drug and alcohol use and driver competency. Future testing, extra training or other support might be offered before returning drivers to work, if at all.

The driver has not resumed driving duties since the second incident in January.

QR revealed there were five other SPAD incidents on the Citytrain network since the start of December and only two staff had resumed driving duties.

Its own figures show SPAD rates have risen since January 2016, and were at their highest rate since July 2015 in September, the latest month recorded.

QR said it had a comprehensive strategy for reducing incidents and the rate had fallen from December 2013 to December 2016.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Evasive action??? Did they throw the train on to the other tracks, did they slam on the brakes or did it roll past the red light by a few meters?

[ozbob]

Bus currently in flames Anzac Ave Eastbound - Rothwell #bnetraffic #chopperview @couriermail @brisbanetimes pic.twitter.com/orkzZswpd3

— Olympia Kwitowski (@Olympia_CK) January 29, 2017

[ozbob]

QAS Units on standby at Bus fire near Wattle rd #Rothwell. No injuries reported. @QldFES pic.twitter.com/WM81qmL4Fb

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 29, 2017

[ozbob]

Bus destroyed by fire north of Brisbane https://t.co/ez91AAxSE0 #BNETRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/MnmYRuRlRj

— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) January 29, 2017

[ozbob]

^ was doing a school run.  Driver and 15 children all out of bus without any problems.  Good!

Still the question of these constant bus fires remains though .. 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Children evacuated from burning bus near Redcliffe

[HappyTrainGuy]

Still the question of these constant bus fires remains though ..

Easy. Heat build up. Too meet all these emission targets buses everywhere are being run hotter than what they ever did previously. To make them more fuel efficient they run them hotter. To get more horsepower out of the engines they run them hotter. People are getting fatter/heavier. Its all about internal capacity of how many people you can cram into a bus which makes the engine bays smaller. Cooling becomes more of an issue. Its nothing new and its been going on for ages. There's been times when I'm on the moto behind a bus and all you feel is the insane amount of heat coming out of the back. You can even feel the heat differences between different models of bus. And when you get onboard the buses if you sit towards the back you can feel the temperature difference just from the exhaust/engine.

[ozbob]

Another bus fire down south ..

JUST IN: A bus is currently on fire on the M4 westbound off ramp to Homebush Bay Drive. Heavy traffic in both directions. #9News pic.twitter.com/9GSQ0hq8Xw

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 7, 2017

[SurfRail]

Ex-BCC operating for Telfords.  Not sure if this one had fire suppression gear fitted before it was retired from up here.

[ozbob]

9 News --> Qld bus attacks a 'ticking time bomb'

A Gold Coast bus operator says it is "beyond luck" no one has been seriously hurt or killed from the 100 attacks on its buses in 13 months.

In 2016, 83 buses were struck by projectiles - three times more than the 28 incidents of 2015 - and two more incidents on Thursday night mean 17 attacks have already occurred in 2017.

Rocks and other items are being thrown, causing significant damage such as shattered windows and resulting in a bill of more than $110,000 for the past year's attacks.

Surfside Buslines general manager Martin Hall says it is only a matter of time before there are fatal consequences.

"We're beyond luck. Every day these drivers are running the gauntlet. The luck's going to run out very, very soon and there'll be an injury to either one of our bus drivers, a member of the public or an asset of ours involving other vehicles," he said.

"It's a ticking time bomb."

Surfside says most attacks occur on the southern end of the Gold Coast, particularly in the suburbs of Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Elanora and Currumbin.

CCTV footage shows bus drivers are being targeted in most attacks.

Transport Workers Union branch secretary Peter Biagini says Gold Coast drivers are increasingly concerned for their safety while driving on night routes.

"It's just totally unacceptable for this to continue to happen," Mr Biagini said.

"(Drivers are) extremely concerned, not only for their own welfare ... but also for the public that use the service."

Youths are suspected of being behind most attacks, and police say anyone arrested for throwing projectiles at buses will face charges.

"It's not just wilful damage. The consequences to this are life-endangering," Acting Inspector Ben Nielsen said.

"You can choose your actions but you can't choose your consequences ... think twice and don't do it."

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/02/10/10/59/bus-attacks-on-rise-on-gold-coast#5DOlhJvghGhWbXdH.99

[verbatim9]

When are the recommendations released concerning Bus driver security? I guess security screens will be phased in? In the USA  and in Malaysia correct change is needed for paper tickets and card top ups where you feed the cash in yourself and it's safely deposited into a safe box below. The drivers are also screened away. For the future the quicker we move to cashless transactions on buses the better.

[#Metro]

When are the recommendations released concerning Bus driver security? I guess security screens will be phased in? In the USA  and in Malaysia correct change is needed for paper tickets and card top ups where you feed the cash in yourself and it's safely deposited into a safe box below. The drivers are also screened away. For the future the quicker we move to cashless transactions on buses the better.

I don't think it is about money, it is more about bad behaviour like throwing bottles or rocks at buses and assaults.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast: CCTV shows passengers ducking for cover as a rock explodes through the window of a bus #7News https://t.co/JhMDuvtIsA

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) February 10, 2017

[ozbob]

Vandals have smashed in the window of a Gold Coast bus overnight, while people were on board. @SamCucchiara9 #9News pic.twitter.com/1ItfIaDuuV

— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) February 10, 2017

[verbatim9]

When are the recommendations released concerning Bus driver security? I guess security screens will be phased in? In the USA  and in Malaysia correct change is needed for paper tickets and card top ups where you feed the cash in yourself and it's safely deposited into a safe box below. The drivers are also screened away. For the future the quicker we move to cashless transactions on buses the better.

I don't think it is about money, it is more about bad behaviour like throwing bottles or rocks at buses and assaults.

Yeah I had that on a Surfside bus from Robina to Broadbeach last November Some kid threw something at the bus. It was late afternoon.

[Otto]

Vandals have smashed in the window of a Gold Coast bus overnight, while people were on board.

I've had that happen 3 times last year. I always do night shift. It's just something I expect to happen sooner or later. It always inconveniences the pax onboard as I have to wait for a replacement bus each time. Never makes the news though.

[SurfRail]

Certain LXs are also very bad for this - Holmview station for one.

[ozbob]

Ipswich: Teen pictured throwing a milk bottle at a moving train. https://t.co/o1yrqH5UoV #7News https://t.co/fJGgjaEylW

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) February 13, 2017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bus passenger risked Sydney Harbour Bridge inferno to tap off Opal card

[ozbob]

9 News --> Teen dead after hit by train in Bundaberg

A teenager has died after being hit by a train in central Queensland.

Police say the 17-year-old had been drinking and was lying on the tracks when the train struck and killed him at Bundaberg North around 12.45am on Sunday.

Investigations are continuing into whether the teen took his own life, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/02/19/09/37/teen-dead-after-hit-by-train-in-bundaberg#Ldi2VrSZxJiBL6Qp.99

[ozbob]

Redland Bay: Six students are being treated for shock after their school bus was involved in a fatal accident.
 https://t.co/cP7SJyaHxR

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) February 21, 2017