Assaults on public transport are “terrifying” and are leaving drivers “traumatised,” according to a driver for Dublin Bus.

Suzanne Armstrong said anti-social behaviour is a daily occurrence and that there’s “nothing drivers can do” besides calling 999.

It follows a vicious assault on a man by a gang of youths on a Dublin Bus last Friday that left a large amount of blood splattered around the cabin.

SIPTU has now issued a warning about a significant rise in violent attacks on public transport in recent months, calling for stronger measures to deter such crimes.

On The Hard Shoulder this evening, Ms Armstrong said drivers experience anti-social behaviour in many ways.

“It could be verbal abuse, it could be a physical altercation, or it could be racial abuse,” she said.

“I usually hear a story every day of some sort of antisocial behaviour. If it's not on my bus, on someone else's.”

'It's terrifying'

The Dublin Bus driver said they are limited in how to respond to a violent attack.

“It's terrifying, but there is nothing we can do,” she said.

“We stay in our cab; we call control, and they ring 999.

“But Garda resources are thin on the ground so by the time the guards get there, everyone involved is gone.

“We could still be absolutely traumatised after witnessing something like this.”

Blood stains outside the driver’s cabin of a Dublin Bus following a serious assault on a passenger near Blanchardstown last Friday. Image: Supplied

SIPTU transport sector organiser John Murphy said a survey conducted on drivers by the union found some “frightening results”.

“One in five of our members said they experienced anti-social behaviour on a daily basis and over 30% said it was a weekly occurrence in their workplace,” he said.

“That could range from as somebody being abusive on a bus, to stone throwing, physical altercations, racism, drug abuse, drug taking and drug dealing.”

Campaign

Mr Murphy said they have now started a campaign that has three goals.

“We're looking for a dedicated policing unit for public transport across all modes that are centrally controlled because at the moment there is private security on trains and trams,” he said.

“We're also calling for a charter for public transport to highlight to people, passengers and people that are undertaking this type of behaviour.”

He added that anti-social behaviour is a “societal issue” that is happening on “every street corner” of the city.

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