Two bus drivers were assaulted within an hour on Saturday night in Auckland, with incidents reported in the CBD and Grey Lynn, The New Zealand Herald has reported.
Acting Auckland City District Commander Jim Wilson said the first assault occurred around 7:40 PM on Customs St East. A 51-year-old man, reportedly intoxicated, refused to leave a bus and punched the driver multiple times. The man, who was verbally abusive, was removed by two passengers, one of whom was also assaulted.
“The man was restrained by members of the public until police arrived,” said Wilson. “He was arrested for breaching bail conditions and assault with intent to injure and is due in Auckland District Court tomorrow.”
Nearly an hour later, at 8:30 PM, police were called to Grey Lynn after another bus driver was assaulted by a passenger. By the time authorities arrived, the passenger had left. Police have since advised the driver on reporting the incident.
An Auckland Transport spokesperson confirmed the incidents occurred on Bus 27H to Hillsborough and Bus 18 to New Lynn, respectively.
Auckland Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt expressed concern over the rising number of attacks on bus drivers, saying the issue has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. “We can’t have a policeman on every bus,” Froggatt said, highlighting the challenges in ensuring driver safety.
He noted that train services have managers on board for passenger supervision and emergency access to the driver’s cabin, a measure not available for buses.
These incidents follow a series of attacks on Auckland bus drivers. Last month, a driver was hospitalised with fractured ribs and eye injuries after being assaulted by a group at the St Lukes bus hub. The driver, who had moved to Auckland from the Philippines for work, is recovering but remains unable to return to duty.
In October, a woman was fatally stabbed on a bus in Onehunga. A 37-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack.
In response to the violence, the NZ Transport Agency announced a $15 million initiative to install driver protection screens on Auckland buses by 2026. Transport Minister Simeon Brown confirmed plans to retrofit full-length screens on 80% of Auckland’s bus fleet, approximately 1100 buses.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who prioritised funding for the rollout, called the attacks “cowardly” and stressed the importance of protecting drivers.
While some companies, including Ritchies and NZ Bus, have started fitting screens on new buses, Froggatt criticised the current safety approach. “It’s the bus company that should be responsible for driver safety, not Auckland Transport footing the bill,” he said, adding that discussions about such measures have spanned over a decade.
As Auckland grapples with these attacks, the measures aim to ensure the safety of those who keep the city moving.