Auckland Transport bus driver assaulted by passenger on North Shore

The Akoranga transport centre incident is the latest in a series in which Auckland bus drivers have been targeted. Photo / Michael Craig

Another Auckland bus driver has allegedly been assaulted, with the latest incident occurring at the Akoranga transport centre on Auckland’s North Shore.

A police spokesperson said police were called to the Northern Busway about 12.10pm on Saturday after a report of a person being assaulted.

“One person was taken into custody a short time later and the victim was checked over by ambulance staff.

“A 31-year-old Hillcrest man has been charged with wilful damage, and injuring with intent to injure.”

He is due to appear in the North Shore District Court tomorrow.

Auckland Transport spokesman Blake Crayton-Brown said shortly after midday on Saturday there was an incident on a route 843 bus at Akoranga Station.

The bus driver was left with injuries after an altercation with a passenger outside the bus, Crayton-Brown said.

“We are working with the bus company to support the driver and assist with investigations into the incident.”

Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt told the Herald Auckland Transport officers on buses should have more authority to arrest troublemakers.

“At the moment, they have no authority and have to call the police and wait for them to attend.”

The NZ Transport Agency last month announced all Auckland buses will have driver protection screens installed by 2026.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the Government was improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers.

“An agreement has been reached to approve a bid for funding to retrofit full-length driver screens for 80% of Auckland Transport’s bus fleet by 2026, or approximately 1100 buses,” Brown said.

“These hardworking New Zealanders often work with little to separate them from their passengers. Safety screens will provide protection and ensure our service continues running smoothly and safely.”

Bus drivers have been regularly targeted in recent months, including a beating, an alleged racially charged assault, a neck-slashing and a wrench attack.

Auckland Transport data released in July showed the number of assaults against drivers in the first six months of 2024 rose to 33, up from 21 over the same period a year earlier.

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