An alleged violent assault on a route 340 bus in Kelvin Grove has placed renewed attention on the rising number of attacks against Brisbane bus drivers. The incident left a veteran driver with multiple facial and neck fractures, and has intensified calls for improved protection across the city’s bus fleet.
According to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), September recorded 208 assaults on drivers, the highest monthly figure on record. On average, two drivers each day are being punched, spat on or threatened while performing routine duties. Union representatives say the increase has heightened concern among drivers working in Kelvin Grove, Paddington and neighbouring suburbs.
The driver injured in Kelvin Grove had many years of service and had previously requested a bus fitted with a full protective barrier. Union officials say such buses were available at the depot on the day of the attack, but the driver was instead assigned a vehicle with only a partial screen. They argue that this type of barrier leaves space for offenders to reach around and restrain or strike a driver, which has occurred in several previous attacks.
Of roughly 1300 buses in Brisbane’s fleet, the union estimates that only about 300 currently have full driver screens installed. They anticipate that this number may increase to approximately 400 by the middle of next year, though they say that progress remains too slow to address immediate risks. According to the union, full screens create an enclosed space that helps prevent spitting, punching and objects being thrown — hazards that partial barriers cannot reliably stop.
City leaders say they are seeking clarity on why the Kelvin Grove driver was not offered a fully screened vehicle. They note that buses used on night services or on routes with known safety concerns are typically prioritised for full protection. Funding responsibility for driver shields has been the subject of competing claims, with disagreements over how many screens have been funded and how quickly installations can proceed.
Opposition councillors say a five‑year funding allocation for bus shields had been committed in 2022, while city leadership states that recent financial contributions include a sum from the State. Both contend that protective measures are vital to improving workplace safety.
A lawyer representing affected workers says she has seen a clear rise in assault‑related compensation claims from bus drivers since 2019. According to her, she now deals with new cases almost every week — many involving drivers who believe their injuries could have been avoided with better physical protection in the driver’s cabin.
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For communities across inner-west Brisbane, from Paddington, through Kelvin Grove, to the city, the escalating violence raises serious questions about how frontline transport staff can be kept safe while continuing to provide an essential public service.
Published 2-December-2025
