Advertisement

1 in hospital after ‘serious assault’ on transit bus in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside: police

A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

One person was taken to hospital following an alleged assault on a transit bus in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

It happened Friday morning on East Hastings Street near Jackson Avenue.

Vancouver police said shortly after noon they were still gathering information, but that the victim’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Police initially said the incident may have been a robbery, but later said they were still working to determine motive. Both the suspect and victim were bus passengers, police said.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The suspect remains at large.

Click to play video: 'Metro Vancouver transit police say more officers needed'
Metro Vancouver transit police say more officers needed

The attack comes amid increased scrutiny about violence involving transit in Metro Vancouver, in the wake of several high-profile incidents including the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy aboard a bus in Surrey.

Story continues below advertisement

Transit police said Wednesday they were stepping up their presence across the system in response to the recent violence.

Transit police statistics showed 1,572 “crimes against persons” recorded in 2022, down from a high of 2,056 in 2016, but up from 1,376 in 2021 and 1,456 in 2020.

The force said it saw a decline in the volume of reported crimes per 100,000 transit passengers between 2021 and 2022, though noted passenger boardings were up by 45 per cent in that same period.

Sponsored content

AdChoices