Survey reveals ‘historic’ levels of bus driver abuse after death of Elgin Stagecoach driver Keith Rollinson as Unite makes ‘protection’ demand

A trade union is demanding “protection” for bus drivers after a mass survey revealed “historic” high levels of abuse.

Unite has been campaigning to improve bus driver safety in the aftermath of Keith Rollinson’s death following an assault at his place of work in Elgin in February this year.

The union’s mass survey of 1100 bus drivers found that 99 per cent were in favour of stronger legislative measures to protect them.

Other notable findings include:

• 84 per cent said the number of instances of abuse at work increased in the last 12 months.

• Where respondents said they had been a victim of abuse, 83 per cent said it was verbal abuse, 16 per cent physical abuse, and one per cent victims of sexual abuse/assault at work.

• 79 per cent said the abuse suffered was not reported to the police while 48 per cent did not report it to their employer.

• 69 per cent of those who did report an abuse incident said they were dissatisfied with their employer’s response.

• 51 per cent said they do not feel safe at work while 85 per cent said they believe it is now ‘just part of the job’.

Anonymous extracts from the survey outline instances where bus drivers have been spat at, racially abused and physically assaulted.

One female driver said: “I find I get more abuse given than my male counterparts.

“I’ve been threatened with being stabbed multiple times and on one occasion threatened with rape.

“I’m at the stage now where if there’s a large group of teens waiting at a bus stop, I won’t stop because I know it’s just going to be trouble from the get go.”

Unite has repeatedly called for stronger legislative measures to be enacted which would protect bus drivers.

The union says that anti-social behaviour has been widespread for years on buses and that the problem pre-exists the extension of the bus travel scheme.

However, bus drivers are reporting that the rate of incidents has increased with the scheme’s extension.

Unite Scottish Secretary Derek Thomson said: “A public transport safety summit involving all key stakeholders needs to happen as a first step. This is a national public safety issue affecting drivers and passengers.

“We need legislation, without delay, which addresses this wave of anti-social behaviour and violence towards bus workers because as each day passes drivers are being put at risk.”

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