In a distressing incident that has raised concerns about the safety of public transport workers, an Auckland bus driver was attacked by a passenger on Saturday morning. The driver, Rajnish Trehan, was left “badly shaken” after being punched in the face, resulting in stitches and a broken tooth.
The incident occurred on the number 18 bus in Avondale when a passenger refused to pay his fare. Despite being asked to take a seat, the passenger approached Trehan from behind and struck him while he was pulling out into traffic. The attacker also hurled racist abuse at Trehan, adding to the trauma of the assault.
Trehan used the bus radio to alert the depot, which then contacted the police and ambulance services. An off-duty NZ Bus supervisor took Trehan back to the depot, but he had to call his wife to take him to the hospital. At Auckland Hospital, Trehan received stitches on his chin and was referred to Middlemore Hospital for dental work.
This incident is part of a worrying trend of increasing violence against bus drivers in Auckland. Earlier this year, reports indicated that attacks on bus drivers had more than doubled between 2022 and 2023. The Auckland Tramways Union has been advocating for the installation of security screens in buses to protect drivers, but progress has been slow.
Union president Gary Froggatt expressed frustration over the delay in implementing these safety measures. “We’ve been working on this for probably about 10 years and we still don’t have security screens in the buses. That’s unacceptable,” he said. Froggatt emphasized the need for drivers to feel assured that they will come home safe at the end of each shift.
The union is now pushing for a stop work meeting to discuss safety concerns, which could cause disruptions across the city. They are also calling for a full investigation by WorkSafe into the attack on Trehan.
The police are investigating the assault and are seeking witnesses who may have seen what happened. Meanwhile, Auckland Transport and Kinetic, the company that owns NZ Bus, have been approached for comment.
This incident highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures to protect public transport workers and ensure their well-being. As the city grapples with this issue, the hope is that swift action will be taken to prevent such attacks in the future.
