B.C. Transit drivers were assaulted while driving routes in Greater Victoria in the past five days, reflecting a trend of increased aggression toward bus operators, says their union.
On Thursday evening, Oak Bay police arrested a 29-year-old man for slapping and spitting at a bus driver at a stop near Central Avenue at St. Patrick Street.
Police said the man became irate when the driver told him the No. 2 bus was not leaving for another 20 minutes.
The man was arrested for assault shortly afterward. He had two outstanding charges of assault and assault causing bodily harm from the Victoria area, police said.
The bus driver did not suffer any physical injuries from the incident.
Unifor Local 333 B.C. president Stephen Bains, who represents Greater Victoria transit workers, said the attack in Oak Bay reflects a growing trend of increased aggression toward bus drivers.
Earlier last week, on Monday, a passenger threw a cup of coffee at a bus driver in Sidney at the bus stop near the intersection of Fifth Street and Bevan Avenue just after 4 p.m, he said.
A bus driver on the No. 15 Esquimalt/UVic route was spat at while at the dockyards in Esquimalt on Friday around 6 p.m., he said.
Bains said it’s very rare for drivers to be physically assaulted or spat at. “Verbal assaults are the most common manifestations.
“I honestly don’t know if we’ll find any logical explanation, but it’s a very real thing that happens,” he said.
The union has suggested drivers skip bus stops if they feel unsafe, Bains said.
It has sent a letter to B.C. Transit requesting that certain bus stops in the capital region receive a safety audit, Bains said.
If safety incidents increase, the capital region may want to assess having a transit police force, he said.
In a statement to the Times Colonist, B.C. Transit said that it takes reports of inappropriate and illegal behaviour seriously and is supporting Oak Bay police in their investigation.
A majority of buses have video security cameras and drivers have “enhanced” radio communication to help manage any on-road incidents, the B.C. Transit statement said.
“B.C. Transit’s top priority is safety, and we work hard to improve safety on board our buses for customers and drivers,” it said. “Our thoughts are with the assaulted employee, and we appreciate the quick response from our transit supervisor and emergency services.”
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