‘You’re a sitting duck’: Halifax Transit union calls for more protection after drivers assaulted
Global News
The union representing Halifax Transit drivers wants to see thick, protective shields installed to prevent passengers from assaulting bus operators.
The president of the union representing transit drivers in HRM is calling for more protection after two drivers were allegedly assaulted by a passenger Monday night.
Ken Wilson, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508, said a bus operator was at the Scotia Square terminal and had a passenger that became aggressive. Another bus driver got on board to help.
“The other operator got between him and her, and the passenger still managed to punch the shield, knocking the phone out of her hand, and became extremely aggressive, yelling and screaming,” said Wilson.
In a release, Halifax Regional Police said officers responded to the incident on the Halifax Transit bus around 9:45 p.m.
They said the passenger left the bus on foot and was later spotted by a transit supervisor and arrested. The 51-year-old man will appear in Halifax Provincial Court at a later date to face one count of assault.
It said the driver was not injured.
Wilson said there have been seven physical assaults against bus drivers in the last two months. He said the pandemic has been difficult on everybody and some passengers are taking their frustrations out on drivers.
“A lot of our riders are stressed, dealing with mental health challenges, homelessness, the price of food and everything else, it takes very little to set somebody off today,” he said.
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