In an effort to reduce the number of violent attacks on transit operators, bus driver unions have dramatically Increased rewards – from $2,000 to $15,000 – for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who assaults an operator.
Unifor and the Amalgamated Transit Union say the enormous increase is needed because in the Lower Mainland, there is an assault on a driver once every three days. To date, this year there have been 124 assaults including incidents of verbal threats and spitting. That number has already exceed the total number of assaults of 116 in 2012.
The unions believe the $15,000 potential reward will warn those who are considering assaulting a driver that the chances they’ll be caught will be significantly higher.
The reward amount offered will vary according to circumstances and could be increased in serious cases where no suspect has been identified. Any reward payments will be based on advice from police and prosecutors about the information provided, and legal counsel for the unions will issue reward payments to ensure due process and accountability.
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