Newcastle Bus Service Halted After Machete Threat: Should Public Buses Have Security Guards?

Bus services across Newcastle were temporarily halted today after a bus driver was threatened with a machete by a passenger. The incident sparked serious concerns about the safety of bus drivers and passengers in the city.

RTBU Secretary David Babineau expressed his concerns over the growing violence against bus drivers, which has included assaults, spitting incidents, and now the machete threat. “In the current environment, it’s simply too dangerous for our drivers to be out on the roads,” Babineau stated. “In the recent past, they’ve been spat on, bashed, assaulted, and now threatened with a machete. Something needs to be done urgently to protect the safety of commuters and drivers.”