ATTENTION: Premier Anna Bligh

Bus Drivers and Taxi Drivers need Extra Protection

The QLD Transport Workers' Union is calling on Premier Anna Bligh to provide extra protection for Bus Drivers and Taxi Drivers in wake of recent assaults and proposed new protections for ambulance officers.

The QLD Government is expected to introduce new laws into parliament later this year that will increase penalties for assaulting ambulance officers.

TWU Branch Secretary Hughie Williams says, "In the last three months, there have been incidents of bus drivers being held up at gun point and taxi drivers being held up at knife point for their cash box."

Mr Williams says, "Bus drivers and taxi drivers deserve to feel safe and protected whilst providing a service to the public."

The TWU would like to see the new laws for assaulting ambulance officers extended to the bus and taxi industries.