Viral Attack on Bus Driver Sparks Call for Public Transport Ban on Repeat Offenders

Police have charged a man with assault occasioning bodily harm after an altercation at Southbank bus station.

A line of Brisbane City Council Buses are seen driving across the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane, Queensland on Oct. 15, 2021. AAP Image/Darren England

The lord mayor of Brisbane is calling for public transport bans for repeat offenders after video of a 21-year-old man repeatedly striking a bus driver went viral.

The man made a court appearance on June 23 over the incident, which occurred on the evening of June 20.

Police allege the man assaulted the driver of the bus, 46, just after 6 p.m. while the bus was at the Southbank station near the CBD.

The matter was reported to police on June 21 afternoon, with detectives from the Dutton Park Criminal Investigation Branch locating the alleged assailant at a Station Road address in Sunnybank two days later.

That man, 21, was arrested, and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court.

In the video, a bus driver attempts to push the man to get off the bus, in turn, the man wearing a green tracksuit swings multiple times striking the Brisbane City Council bus driver several times.

He walks off briefly, but jumps back on the bus to continue the attack with onlookers yelling, “Stop it.”

Brisbane City Council says it reported the incident to police and checked in with the driver numerous times—offering support through the Employee Assistance Program.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Queensland government for comment.

Calls for Ban on Repeat Offenders

The incident has led to key figures calling for a ban on problem passengers.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner took to social media to say “enough is enough”.

“If you assault a driver, you should lose the right to ride,” he wrote.

“I’ve spoken with the bus driver who was attacked on Friday evening and he’s understandable shaken after this terrifying attack.

“Our bus drivers serve our community every day to help you and I get around Brisbane.”

Schrinner said violence against bus drivers and frontline workers should never be tolerated, and he would be advocating the state government to ban repeat offenders from public transport services.

Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Tom Brown told ABC radio the assault was “brutal,” and could cause permanent damage to the man’s ear.

“What the union will do now is call on the transport minister to reconvene the bus safety forum and put this on the agenda and do this as quickly as possible,” he said.

Numerous Assaults Daily

All Brisbane City Council buses have been fitted with CCTV, emergency buttons, anti-shatter windows and bus driver safety barriers—but attacks on drivers are still an issue facing the industry.

Recorded attacks on Brisbane bus drivers range from verbal abuse, spitting, physical assault, and objects being thrown.

Up to May 31, 2025, there were 313 recorded incidents of assaults on Brisbane City buses, with 2024 recording a total of 824.

Passengers were seated here when a rock was thrown at the side of a Brisbane City Council bus. This occurred Jan. 13, 2023, at 5:40pm. Courtesy of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union

In 2023, the numbers were even higher, with 938 attacks reported, up from 711 in 2022.

There were 654 attacks on Brisbane’s bus drivers in 2020.

Police investigations into the recent incident are continuing and anyone with information or footage, who has not made contact yet, is asked to contact police.

Anyone with information can also call 1800 333 000 and quote reference number: QP2501096029.