Police ordered to ride shotgun on dangerous bus routes

Uniformed police have been told to ride shotgun on buses where possible while on the beat in Auckland's more dangerous areas, to protect frightened drivers.

Police yesterday confirmed that community constables in South Auckland were being encouraged to take the bus in the course of "their interactions with the community".

"The idea is that as they are walking the beat they could get on a bus and travel from one side of their community to the other," said Senior Sergeant Mick Woods of Counties/Manukau police.

Drivers' union spokesman Gary Froggatt said many drivers worried for their safety after recent attacks. Four incidents - two thrown missiles, a robbery and an assault - have occurred on Stagecoach routes in the past month.

He called for police, Stagecoach and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority to do more to make drivers feel safe.

Among his suggestions: Uniformed officers to ride along on certain bus routes "when requested", police patrol cars to follow some bus services, cashless fares after 7pm, and security screens around drivers.

The more dangerous routes were South Auckland and "outer areas eastern", an area encompassing Glen Innes and Pt England, he said.

Stagecoach employed more than 1000 drivers in Auckland - about 900 of them union members - and many had voiced their concerns at depot meetings.

As a result, the company had agreed that drivers afraid for their safety could ask for "alternative duties", including working the day shift only.

Stagecoach operations director Warren Fowler said the idea of "cashless" fares where travellers use pre-paid cards had been "floated" with the authority, but nothing had been decided.

Police communications manager Angeline Barlow said there were no plans at present for South Auckland police to start dedicated bus-driver-minding patrols or to send cars to shadow buses.