Private Bus Drivers Get Self-Defence Classes For The Last 10 Years - MX News Newspaper

I found an article in the MxNews dated 26/8/10 as follows:

*Union Call

DEFENCE TRAINING ON BUSES:

The Transport Workers Union has called for all bus drivers to receive self defence training after a spate of violent incidents.

The union wants private bus drivers to get the same training as those in charge of public buses.

The call follows a series of projectile attacks on drivers in western Sydney.

Earlier this month a man also threatened the driver of a bus carrying school children with a 30cm knife in Bella Vista.

TWU State secretary Wayne Forno said government bus drivers had received self defence training for the past 10m years..

But he said private bus companies had failed to fund programs for drivers.

The majority of private operaters do not cover this in their training', Forno said.

'Ideally this training is implemented with one initial course and a regular refresher course, for example annually.'

State Transit Chief Executive Peter Rowley said all new drivers were provided with training and current drivers received refresher training every year.

'The incidence of violence against bus drivers has decreased over the past five years and the State Transit will continue programs and training to reduce this even further,' he said.

last Financial year there were 162 reported vernal and physical incidents on State Transit buses.

A spokesman for Transport Minister John Robertson said Transport NSW met regularly with the unions, industry and operaters to discuss safety and the Government was spending $10 million this year on cameras and alarms on private buses.

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I'm not against this what I am against is if transport NSW looks after the community and bus driver's interest for private bus operaters - why is there a policy separate for government-runned buses as opposed to privately run operaters? I mean why wasn't this done ten years ago with the private bus drivers. It appears that on this issue the bus operaters do not seem the drivers interest to heart - may be they should place finances aside and proceed with instant training.

On the negative part of it - how can a self defended bus driver prevent harm from a rock thrower? The rock-thrower is not using seen - he/she is obscure usually - once hit is send a shock wave to the driver and to the inside passengers!