SURREY — Bus drivers intend to make a big noise Thursday outside provincial court in Surrey in their ongoing safety campaign.
Before a bail hearing, the drivers will be sending a message that no one accused of actions that endanger the public should be freed to potentially torment drivers.
“That’s the biggest concern that we have — it’s endangering everyone,†Unifor 111 president Nathan Woods told The Province.
“Passengers, motorists, pedestrians — all those people are put at risk.â€
Woods says the suspect is accused of punching a driver while the bus was moving, which he said put the lives of 30 passengers at risk.
“We’re concerned that the legal system will be lenient, and he will be released, possibly even given a bus ticket to hop on the nearest bus,†said Woods.
Woods said drivers will be out in force at 1 p.m. Thursday because they are concerned on two fronts — an increasing number of assaults on drivers, and an increasing level of violence in the attacks.
“Assaults are at 40 this year already. That’s 10 per cent more than last year at this time,†said Woods. “And last year’s numbers were 15 per cent higher than the year before.â€
Woods said union officials from Unifor and the Amalgamated Transit Union will be travelling to Ottawa in support of Bill C-533, which would see crimes against transit operators, including bus drivers and taxi drivers, treated more seriously in court because of the threat to other members of the public.
Sean Quaye was charged in connection with an alleged assault on a driver March 26 in Surrey’s Newton area near 72nd Avenue and 132nd Street.