Public transport workers are renewing calls for increased security after yet another bus driver was attacked on the job.

In the latest incident, which took place yesterday morning on South Road, a 53-year-old female driver needed hospital treatment after being punched in the face by an angry passenger.

Juliet Pearman-Tucker, who has worked as a bus driver for 15 years, suffered from facial bruising and a sprained shoulder in the attack and is likely to be off work for the rest of the week.

Ms Pearman-Tucker said she was heading into Hamilton from the west end when she stopped to pick up two passengers outside the Henry VIII Pub shortly after 11am.

A woman believed to be in her 20s boarded the bus and told the driver she was transferring from another vehicle.

When Ms Pearman-Tucker pointed out that she would have to pay a fare, the passenger ignored her and sat down.

The confrontation escalated after Ms Pearman-Tucker said she would call the police if the passenger did not disembark.

The driver claims that when she took out her cell phone and began dialling a number, the passenger got up from her seat, ran to her and began trying to wrestle the phone from her.

In the ensuing tussle, Ms Pearman-Tucker was punched in the face.

“It caught me totally unawares,” Ms Tucker told The Royal Gazette. “I explained to her that the stop wasn’t a transfer point and that she would have to pay, but she just started swearing at me.

“When I got on the telephone and started to call the police, she then proceeded to snatch the telephone out of my hand. That’s when she caught me off guard and punched me in the face.

“I was completely shocked, I just didn’t see it coming. I just feel so embarrassed and humiliated by the whole experience.

“We had tourists on-board and they felt embarrassed for me.”

One passenger and two bystanders were able to pull the attacker off Ms Pearman-Tucker and remover her from the vehicle.

The police were called and, after giving a statement, Ms Pearman-Tucker was driven to hospital by a Public Transport Department supervisor. Passengers who witnessed the attack had to disembark and catch a later bus.

Ms Pearman-Tucker said there was a growing concern that public transport drivers were seen as an easy target by passengers, and pointed out that two drivers were threatened and attacked in separate incidents last month.

“In 15 years I have never had any altercations with any passengers — I’m a very easy-going driver and am also outgoing and friendly to everyone,” she said.

“But these incidents seem to be on the increase — there were two attacks just last month and it’s getting worse.

“We’re seen as sitting targets and of course, it’s difficult for us to fight back — we could end up losing our jobs. In this case I have witnesses who saw that I didn’t do anything to the girl — she attacked me.

“At the same time, I can’t just sit there and let someone punch me. Something has to be done.

“I think Government did start putting in security cameras on buses and that would help, but because of the economic situation we’re in, I don’t know if they have the funds to keep on doing that.”

Ms Pearman-Tucker said that several colleagues had contacted her after the attack and representatives from the Bermuda Industrial Union had also been in touch.

Last night Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell condemned the assault and said driver safety was a concern

“I condemn this attack on a DPT staff member in the strongest possible terms,” Mr Crockwell said.

“The health and safety of DPT staff is the top priority for management and efforts are being made to improve driver safety.

“My Permanent Secretary recently met with DPT management and BIU Division executives on this subject and there is another meeting scheduled for later this week.

“Let me assure drivers that the government takes a zero tolerance approach to attacks against operators and I can promise drivers that plans are moving forward to improve their safety.”

The Royal Gazette understands that a suspect has been arrested and is expected to appear before the courts shortly.