A review on Bunbury bus safety will take place after a string of recent attacks.
A FULL risk assessment of bus security in Bunbury and meetings with local drivers and union delegates will take place in coming weeks.
The commitment from transport minister Dean Nalder comes after the Transport Workers Union brought safety fears into the spotlight following a number of recent attacks on drivers.
South West MLC Adele Farina said she welcomed the undertaking by the Public Transport Authority to move quickly to meet with local bus drivers.
Ms Farina said the Public Transport Authority had advised there was “no budget impediment” to installing cages to protect bus drivers.
“While acknowledging some people are of the view that cages are ‘not a good look’, the primary consideration should be the safety of drivers, and the Minister should undertake to have these installed immediately on Bunbury town buses and school buses,” she said.
“It was very concerning to hear that CCTV cameras are only installed on town buses and not on school buses, this is despite the most serious recent assault of a driver taking place on a school bus.”
Ms Farina said she had also received many complaints from constituents about safety at the central bus station.
“Bunbury needs cages for bus drivers, a patrolling security car following buses and static guards at the Bunbury bus station, this is the combination of measures that will improve safety and security for drivers and passengers alike,” she said.
“Bunbury is the state’s second city and the security measures should be similar to those in Perth, driver and passenger safety should always be the primary concern.
“I welcome the Minister’s agreement to conduct a review and call on the Minister to act immediately to make the buses safe for the employees who drive them and the passengers who rely on public transport in Bunbury.”
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