Police in Sidney arrested a man accused of assaulting a BC Transit driver on Jan. 29.
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP members responded to a serious assault on a bus driver in the area of Lochside Drive and Bakerview Place in North Saanich, just after 7 a.m.
The driver suffered facial injuries and it was reported the passenger suspected of assaulting him fled on foot with a duffle bag.
The suspect was identified and arrested on Tuesday evening. The North Saanich man was released on the condition that he not enter or travel on any BC Transit bus.
Unifor Local 333, a union that represents BC Transit workers, is concerned at attacks on their members and are calling for more security measures to be implemented.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 extremely frustrated itB次元官网网址檚 happened yet again,B次元官网网址� said Ben Williams, Unifor Local President. B次元官网网址淭he only thing that will prevent these assaults are barriers and I have no idea why BC Transit continues to drag its feet on this.B次元官网网址�
BC Transit say that they B次元官网网址榩lace the highest priority on safetyB次元官网网址� and have installed CCTV cameras in over 600 buses across B.C.
In all, 373 buses have cameras installed by the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). Another 230 buses are new buses to be delivered with the technology already installed. The remainder of the BC Transit fleet will have cameras installed in new buses as older models are replaced over the next few years.
B次元官网网址淭he Government of Canada is proud to support these vital safety improvements to BC Transit buses across the province,B次元官网网址� said Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, via a press release. B次元官网网址淗aving CCTV cameras on board will help reassure passengers that taking public transportation is a safe option no matter where you live.B次元官网网址�
Since 2015, BC Transit has used CCTV footage to support 360 police investigations.
BC Transit say they have made significant investments in both training and tools for its transit safety system, including driver training, partnerships with first responders, enhanced communication technology on board the bus and a proof of concept for a full driver door.
Williams says that he supports the cameras but they are used to investigate offenders rather than prevent assaults.
B次元官网网址淭here are people with mental health and substance abuse problems and donB次元官网网址檛 care if a camera is there. People react poorly, without thinking and cameras arenB次元官网网址檛 preventative.B次元官网网址�
Williams reports that in the last few weeks two drivers have been assaulted with a beverage being thrown on one and another spat on.
Police ask witnesses who observed this most recent assault, or can identify a suspect are requested to contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP Detachment at 250-656-3931, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
