We Are Relieved - Thanks To Bus Operaters - Rising Attacks Alarming

We are relieved that at present there are no bus service cuts being planned - although the rock throwing has affected both the Busways 755 & 758 Bus Services. We thank the Bus Operaters that they are placing the travelling community first in front of juvenile rock throwers - I pray that come the day they do not make a decision to remove services because of safety issue

Story from Susan Liu, 25/8/10;

buses will continue to operate as normal in the Mount Druitt area despite five separate attacks on buses in the last week.

The incidents include three attacks on two buses last Tuesday between 3.30am-4.30am on Popondetta road, Emerton.

The tow other attacks targetted the 758 service at 7pm on Friday, August 13, and last Monday near Whalan Shops.

Although there is anger amongst drivers, Busways marketing manager David Collins said there were no plans for a boycott by drivers or withdrawl of services from the area.

He said they had been meeting with affected people and groups including police and unions. 'We are working on a strategy which we will hope will eliminate further attacks', he said.

NSW Transport Workers Union state secretary Wayne Forno said attacks had escalated.

'Being a bus driver is dangerous job and kit's getting worse' he said last week.

'In the last five days we've had as many attack on buses as we had in a month.'

Mr Forno warned it was only a matter of time before passengers were injured in attacks.

'We encourage people to keep an eye on their neighbourhood and their bus service and if they see any threatening or violent activity to call the police', he said.

The 755 bus attacked at Popondetta Road was a service that local group Save Our Bus Services fought to bring back after it was removed last year.

Group Secretary deb Robertson said the attacks were 'deflating'.

'This kind of thing just blows it all in the air. the spate of attacks is not good. because of a few silly people, the community suffers.'

The buses have since being repaired