Article: Gold Coast bus drivers demand security after 17th attack

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Gold Coast bus drivers demand security after 17th attack

Gold Coast bus drivers demand security after 17th attack

   by: Greg Stolz
   From: The Courier-Mail
   February 13, 2012 5:08PM

GOLD Coast bus drivers are demanding duress alarms and security screens after the latest in a spate of attacks on the public transport workers.

A Surfside Buslines driver was spat in the face, dragged off his bus and bashed on Saturday night during a trip from Nerang to Broadbeach.

The Transport Workers Union said it was the 17th attack on a Gold Coast bus driver in the past year, and something had to be done.

TWU Gold Coast organiser Troy Fernandez called on TransLink, the State Government's public transport provider, to provide his members with duress alarms and security screens.

"This is another terrible incident where these guys (drivers) are just trying to come to work and earn a living for their families," he said.

"If that's what it's going to take (duress alarms and partitions) so that these guys can come to work safely, then that's what it's going to take.

"Nobody comes to work to get assaulted."

Late last year, Gold Coast police began riding on buses after a spate of attacks on drivers.

It was reported yesterday that the operation had ended, but police acting Superintendent Glenn Allen said it was continuing.

He said the operation had been a success, with only one driver assaulted since it began.

However, Mr Fernandez said there had been three attacks.

He said the latest victim was shaken but had vowed to continue driving.

[Cam]

Would CCTV above the driver facing the passenger assist in identifying these offenders? If there were sufficient police numbers, a plain clothed police officer/s could be placed on every third or fourth service on routes & at times of the day where & when such incidents have occurred.

I really hope that the next Queensland Government ensures that there are sufficient police numbers on the beat to be able to proactively police known problem areas when they are needed rather than turning up 5-30 minutes after police have been called.

[SurfRail]

Would CCTV above the driver facing the passenger assist in identifying these offenders? If there were sufficient police numbers, a plain clothed police officer/s could be placed on every third or fourth service on routes & at times of the day where & when such incidents have occurred.

The CCTV systems (including a door facing camera) are largely in place.  Unfortunately, there is no way that with Surfside's service density that there would be police on even one in 20 services.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Another Gold Coast bus driver attacked

Another Gold Coast bus driver attacked

    by: Greg Stolz
    From: The Courier-Mail
    February 14, 2012 3:02PM

ANOTHER bus driver has been bashed on the Gold Coast, just a day after a union demanded duress alarms and security screens for under-siege drivers.

The Surfside bus driver was assaulted by a female passenger on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach about 12.30pm.

The attack came after another Surfside driver was spat in the face, dragged off his bus and bashed at Carrara on Saturday night.

An estimated 18 Gold Coast bus drivers have been assaulted in the past year.

On Monday, the Transport Workers Union called on State Government public transport provider Translink to fit buses with duress alarms and security screens.

"No one comes to work to get assaulted," TWU Gold Coast organiser Troy Fernandez said.

[somebody]

Duress alarms, tied into the GPS seem completely reasonable.  Not convinced about the screens though.

[Fares_Fair]

Response time is the weak link in this chain .. an audible alarm may scare them off and hopefully someone could intervene.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[achiruel]

Duress alarms, tied into the GPS seem completely reasonable.  Not convinced about the screens though.

Screens seem to work well on the trams in Melbourne, why not in buses?

[somebody]

Duress alarms, tied into the GPS seem completely reasonable.  Not convinced about the screens though.

Screens seem to work well on the trams in Melbourne, why not in buses?

Not sure how effective they are in Sydney cabs, and it also seems to change the culture.

[SurfRail]

The most pertinent example would be Perth, where very nearly the entire low floor fleet is fitted with "monkey cages" because of concerns with violence against drivers.  There is still some debate about whether they are actually worth it or effective in any real sense, but they are a pretty visible way of spending money on the issue.

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=64384

[#Metro]

BT doesn't have this problem - or at least this bad... different environment (lots of partygoers on the Gold Coast, alcohol) but BT's defence is operator personality...

[WTN]

BT doesn't have this problem - or at least this bad... different environment (lots of partygoers on the Gold Coast, alcohol) but BT's defence is operator personality...

Fortitude Valley on a Friday or Saturday night?

Having a (transparent) screen may be a good idea, but "monkey cages" look intimidating, possibly encouraging bad eggs to "have a go" at the driver.

[SurfRail]

BT doesn't have this problem - or at least this bad... different environment (lots of partygoers on the Gold Coast, alcohol) but BT's defence is operator personality...

BT does have this problem, as do most bus operators.

[achiruel]

I agree, monkey cages are a bad idea and really offer very little protection to drivers, transparent screens are far better.

[Mr X]

BT doesn't have this problem - or at least this bad... different environment (lots of partygoers on the Gold Coast, alcohol) but BT's defence is operator personality...

I believe that on a rate basis, crime isn't any higher on the Gold Coast than in Brisbane. Plenty of thugs attacking police in the Valley  

I don't like the look of monkey cages either

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
16/02/2012

Boost to Gold Coast bus driver safety

The State Government has offered to install duress alarms on Gold Coast buses in the wake of an unacceptable spate of attacks on drivers after discussions between the Transport Minister and the Transport Worker's Union.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said a duress alarm installation program could be brought forward in order to improve bus safety for both drivers and passengers and TransLink would now hold talks with the bus operator Surfside.

Ms Palaszczuk said TransLink had asked also asked Surfside management to investigate several other options to increase driver safety in addition to installation of duress alarms.

"What we've witnessed on these buses over the past week with two serious attacks is not only frightening, it's unacceptable," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Nobody should have to go to work in fear of being spat at or in fear of being abused or physically assaulted.

"Safety for drivers - and their passengers - from these attacks by thugs needs to come first.

"That's why duress alarms were raised through a statewide bus safety committee and we will fund this initiative if the drivers and operators believe it is an appropriate safety mechanism.

"I understand that there are a number of proactive measures being discussed and TransLink will look at all options put forward by the operator to improve safety.

"I'm encouraged by the response of Gold Coast police who will have further discussions between Surfside to assist with driver safety and training.

"I'm concerned by the growing number of abhorrent attacks on drivers on the Gold Coast.

"Our bus drivers do a great job and the recent attacks are sickening and we will not stand for this."

Ms Palaszczuk said training bus drivers in conflict resolution and self defence was also being considered to boost the safety of drivers on the Gold Coast.

"We welcome the efforts by police and Surfside to improve the protection of drivers."

Safety measures already in place for Gold Coast buses include:

    Roaming security patrols across the coast
    Additional Senior Network Officers across the coast
    Two way radios on buses back to base
    CCTV coverage of buses

Ms Palaszczuk said in addition a new police outpost at Robina was well under construction and would open later this year.

Eight bus drivers have been assaulted on the Gold Coast in the last month, with the most recent at Nerang and Miami.