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ottawasun.com - Ottawa and Region - Driver fears vengeful riders
By BETH JOHNSTON, SUN MEDIA
Many local bus drivers fear for their safety when they go back to work.
Even before the transit strike, which has alienated drivers from the public, they faced verbal and physical assaults on a daily basis, said a driver who asked not to be identified.
"Now that it's perceived by the public that we don't respect them, it's going to get worse," he said.
He fears violence against drivers will escalate to dangerous levels once service resumes.
"We get insulted, hit, spat on, yelled at every day. Can you imagine what it's going to be like when we go back?"
'IGNORANT PEOPLE'
"There are lots of ignorant people that get on the bus, we have to babysit. Telling someone they're 25 cents short, believe it or not you could get punched for that," he said.
"The majority of drivers feel extremely threatened now to go back to work."
He suggests cameras on buses, more special constables at bus stations, anger management and jiu-jitsu training for drivers.
"If you can't defend yourself, what good are you?"
"There's only one other job where you're spat at, punched and kicked," he said, comparing bus drivers to police officers.
Since the strike started Dec. 10, he's been reluctant to wear his OC Transpo hat and coat at the grocery store.
"The next contract has to have something for our security."
By BETH JOHNSTON, SUN MEDIA
Many local bus drivers fear for their safety when they go back to work.
Even before the transit strike, which has alienated drivers from the public, they faced verbal and physical assaults on a daily basis, said a driver who asked not to be identified.
"Now that it's perceived by the public that we don't respect them, it's going to get worse," he said.
He fears violence against drivers will escalate to dangerous levels once service resumes.
"We get insulted, hit, spat on, yelled at every day. Can you imagine what it's going to be like when we go back?"
'IGNORANT PEOPLE'
"There are lots of ignorant people that get on the bus, we have to babysit. Telling someone they're 25 cents short, believe it or not you could get punched for that," he said.
"The majority of drivers feel extremely threatened now to go back to work."
He suggests cameras on buses, more special constables at bus stations, anger management and jiu-jitsu training for drivers.
"If you can't defend yourself, what good are you?"
"There's only one other job where you're spat at, punched and kicked," he said, comparing bus drivers to police officers.
Since the strike started Dec. 10, he's been reluctant to wear his OC Transpo hat and coat at the grocery store.
"The next contract has to have something for our security."
