The NSW Transport Workers Union says that it is outraged after a bus driver was allegedly spat on his face by a passenger recently near the suburb of Merrylands in western Sydney.
The incident occurred at 8 pm on April 21st when a passenger allegedly spat in the Indian origin bus driver's face while getting off the bus at the Canal T-Way bus stop.
"This is totally outrageous and disgusting behaviour," Richard Oslen, State Secretary of the NSW Transport Workers Union said.
He told SBS Malayalam that the union is asking the government to provide improved security measures for transport workers.
“As ongoing issues have been happening in the bus industry, violence against bus drivers, spitting on bus drivers, coughing on bus drivers, verbal abuse and physical abuse all of that we have been in discussion with Transport NSW and making sure they get proper protection,” he said.
The driver who says he was "shattered" by the incident said that such incidents are disturbing.
“While I was driving, a passenger who was seated on the bus came to me and told me that he has less charge in the opal card. I then told him to go back to his seat. After a while when I stopped the bus at Canal T-way bus stop, he who was trying to alight the vehicle turned around and spat on me before fleeing the scene," the bus driver who did not want to reveal his identity told SBS Malayalam.
“It fell on my eyes and lips. I am worried now,” he added.
"The spat went inside the driver's cabin and it was sprayed on to my face. It fell straight into my eyes and lips and mouth. Even the steering wheel was covered with spat.”
Source: Getty Images
According to him, he kept quiet as he was at work and watched where the person went. “I looked through the mirror and saw him running away.”
He said that he immediately rang the bus company and reported it to the Manager who in turn informed the police.
“The police came and observed the scene and took my statements," he said.
"They collected the video recordings from the bus company. My manager has consoled me saying that I haven’t done anything wrong and that the police are trying to find the man. The company is dealing with it now.”
As the driver didn’t have water with him at the time of the incident he says he couldn’t wash his face until he reached the depot two hours later.
“I didn’t have water with me. Also, I had to deal with many things there like calling the company, transferring the passengers to another bus, etc. As per the rules I am not allowed to move away from the bus as it had passengers in it. So, I was able to wash my face with soap and water only after reaching depot after two hours.”
According to the driver, he underwent coronavirus swab tests. Luckily his test result came out negative.
“I have a wife and a son. I didn't want others to get sick. Since the night the incident happened, I went into self-isolation at my house.
Also, I was not allowed to go back to work until the results are cleared.”
The union says that such abuse and insults against the bus drivers are not rare.
Source: AAP
“There are three things are what we are looking at, what we wanting to have. One is passenger limits. Seeking no more than 15 on a bus so that we can practice social distancing on the bus itself.
"We want to increase the number of security screens that can protect bus drivers as they drive around in the community and of course, if these security screens cannot be put in place with immediate effect, then at least some having form of spinning screens putt into place to protect bus drivers on a temporary basis,” Richard Olsen said.
NSW Police has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
“About 8 pm, Tuesday 21 April 2020), officers from Cumberland Police Area Command have been told a passenger exiting a bus at Sherwood Road, Merrylands West, spat on the driver. Inquiries are continuing,” reads the police statement.
'Disgusting and disrespectful': NSW Transport Ministry
SBS Malayalam contacted the office of the NSW Minister for Road and Transport Andrew Constance.
A statement read: “Anyone coughing or spitting on any worker will face a $5,000 on-the-spot fine with tough measures introduced to protect health care staff and police now extended to all workers.”
“Transport for NSW welcomes the $5,000 fine and we will continue to work with NSW Police to ensure the safety of all our frontline staff.
Australian travellers are carried on a bus Source: AAP
"This is a disgusting and disrespectful act against people who are working hard to ensure our customers can get to where they need to go at this time, especially essential.”
“Transport for NSW is working closely with NSW Health and increased cleaning of hard surfaces at high traffic areas across the network, included on buses and bus depots, has been rolled out and will continue for the foreseeable future. This includes a complete wipe down from the driver’s cabin and controls, handrails, stop buttons, and Opal card readers.”
The statement also says that Transport for NSW is advising customers to not use the opal reader at the front of the bus and to stand behind the red no standing zone.
Hefty fines for rule-breakers
Since the coronavirus crisis began, there have been other incidents of spitting and coughing on essential service workers that made the headline.
On April 21st, a 32-year-old woman was charged after she allegedly spat on a bus driver after he asked her to stop smoking on his bus. In another incident, a 45-year-old man was arrested and charged after he spat on a ferry worker at Circular Quay.
On April 9th, NSW introduced a $5,000 on-the-spot fine to those who spit or cough on frontline workers. It subsequently extended the law to include other essential workers too.
