Bus driver attack in Surrey sparks union concerns
Driver was punched square in face by passenger waiting to board
The union representing Metro Vancouver bus drivers is raising concerns after another vicious, unprovoked attack on a bus driver in Surrey on Wednesday night.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. PT, when the driver approached someone having a cigarette next to the bus and told the passenger he was ready to leave.
The passenger, who appeared agitated, stubbed out his cigarette, stepped on the bus, and punched the driver square in the face, the union says a witness reported.
Unifor spokesperson Ruth Armstrong says the driver has a broken nose, and will deal with the emotional fallout for years.
The latest attack follows an unprovoked attack by two women on a driver in Vancouver two weeks ago.
"This is out of control. This has reached epidemic proportions," says Armstrong,
The union wants more transit police and security patrols diverted to trouble areas.
"The data that they collect clearly shows what time of day, what routes, these incidents happen on," says Armstrong
She says the union is once again considering whether it should ask Coast Mountain Bus to install enclosures to protect drivers.
With files from Steve Lus