BUS SAFETY

Early day motion 1659, tabled 18 July 2002 by Gavin Strang (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House expresses its concern at the sharp increase in violent attacks on bus workers; congratulates the Transport and General Workers' Union on its campaign to highlight this serious issue and believes that a high priority should be given to the issue of bus workers; personal safety; expresses concern that non-action in this respect could lead to bus services on more routes being withdrawn; and urges the Government to impose a firm legal requirement on operators to carry out risk assessments on violence to bus workers on the road as well as in garages, to allocate higher priority and more resources for police response to public transport attacks, to ensure that the maximum penalties are imposed for an assault on a bus worker and to improve compensation for front line public service staff.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 6, Plaid Cymru 2.