Unite the union calls for those with influence to do all they can to ensure and end to attacks on public transport

Following this morning’s burning of a Translink bus in Newtownards, Unite the union deputy Regional Secretary Davy Thompson expressed his concern for the driver involved and for the local community.

“Today our thoughts are with the driver and his family who will no doubt be very shaken by his experiences this morning. This is a bus driver, out doing his best to provide for his family, exposed to the unbelievable horror of being removed from his bus, then watching it burn whilst a local community were left with disruption to their transport links affecting the ability to get to appointments, school and work.

“This attack is indefensible and wrong. It served no purpose aside from traumatising a worker and undermining access to public transport for a local community. 

“Public transport is a vital lifeline to our local communities and staff across Translink have worked tirelessly over the course of the current pandemic to ensure and maintain services, as front line workers this should be respected. Workers have a right to earn their livelihood without fear of intimidation or threat.

“Unite will work closely with the company throughout today to minimise any further risk to our members over the coming period of time.   

“We would call on all those who may have influence in our society to do all they can to ensure that these types of incidents are ended”, Mr Thompson concluded.