Bus drivers demand safety

Photo: Contributed

The union representing transit drivers will hold a rally in Kelowna Wednesday to back demands for safer working conditions.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Canada, in a news release sent out Friday, said assaults on transit drivers are unacceptable, citing four Kelowna cases on one day, two weeks ago.

"Luckily, four assailants were apprehended in the Kelowna assaults, and ATU Canada is calling for those who were apprehended be sentenced to the full measure of the law," the union said.

That could include up to 10 years for an indictable offence or 18 months for a summary conviction.

Those limits were brought in a year ago as part of Bill S-221 which, in part, allows for stricter penalties for those who assault transit operators.

The union states transit operators should be afforded the same level of safety as pilots and train operators, who are provided enclosed workstations.

"ATU Canada supports protecting bus operators from the risk of assault by requiring all new vehicles, and vehicles in revenue service, (have) transparent partition enclosures around the bus operator seating area, capable of withstanding gunfire, and a door or window to the left of the operator seating area, allowing for safe, and rapid emergency egress," the email states.

The union also says drivers should have access to a panic button that connects directly to law enforcement.

Wednesday's rally will be held at 2 p.m. at the Queensway Bus Loop and at city hall.