Both the TWU and drivers are celebrating the announcement of further bus driver safety precautions in the state’s bus network
In a major move for the safety of bus and coach drivers in Queensland, the state government has announced that more full bus driver barriers will be installed across Queensland’s public transport network.
Alongside the deployment of 79 network officers and 20 QPS Transit Squad Officers over two years, the additional barriers will help protect drivers.
The $61 million investment will go towards secure cabins and these network offices in Queensland buses.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) says members have been campaigning for full-safety cabins and a significant increase in the deployment of Network Officers on buses after continued assaults on drivers and passengers.
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“Congratulations to all TWU members who have been campaigning for a safer workplace,” the TWU said in a Facebook post on the news.
TWU Queensland director of organising Jared Abbott says while the announcement is a positive, the solution must also involve drivers having a say on where and when Network Officers are deployed to have any real impact.