'Last straw': Union fed up with workplace violence after bus driver spat on during racist attack
The latest senseless attack on a Sydney bus has pushed the union to call for cages to be installed in New South Wales buses to protect the drivers.
A passenger who caught the wrong bus by mistake was caught on camera racially abusing the driver before spitting on him.
Witness Dylan Lloyd said the other passengers on the bus were disgusted by the man’s behavior.
"As soon as the guy eventually got off the bus everyone started apologising to the bus driver, being really thankful to him,” Mr Lloyd told 7 News.
The disturbing act wasn’t the first and unfortunately won’t be the last.
On a late night bus trip to Blacktown, a passenger was filmed violently hitting another commuter in the seat behind her.
People can be heard telling the swinging woman to 'relax' as she repeated hits the man while he attempts to defend himself.
Last year, Sydney woman Lindsay Li was the victim of a horrifying case of racial abuse on a bus.
"Take your f***ing luggage and piss off,” a woman can be heard saying on footage recorded by Ms Li.
She said the incident has changed the way she approaches public transport.
"I'm very wary now of going on buses, and try to look around to see if there are any crazy people on it,” she told 7 News.
A union survey of delegates uncovered Sydney’s most dangerous routes, which included:
• The 545 and 513 in the west
• The 470 and 431 in the city
• The L90 in the north
• Buses down Anzac Parade in the east.
While many of those routes travel through areas that don’t appear dangerous, it is often the late night journeys that make the drivers feel the most vulnerable.
Chris Preston from the Rail Tram and Bus Union said high security measures were needed on New South Wales transport vehicles.
"We need security screens fitted to all the bus network, that's all the old buses as well and we need dedicated transit officers on the buses,” Mr Preston told 7 News.
The government maintains the amount of violence on trains and buses is falling.
Footage emerges of young man violently attacking Sydney bus
Shocking bus attack caught on camera
News break – March 21
