Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bus operators from line 36 on Antwerp’s Left Bank initiated an affirmative dialogue with youths who were loitering following the Saturday evening incident.
Bus drivers on line 36 in Antwerp‘s Left Bank opened dialogue with nearby youths after one experienced harassment from local teenagers when using a mobile toilet as a break stop.
The incident required prompt responses when drivers initiated a work stoppage along with dialogue which focused on future prevention strategies.
The bus driver who operated line 36 took a restroom break at the IGLO stop’s mobile toilet last Saturday night when youths attempted to topple the toilet and shake it while he was inside. Union member Wim De Jonghe (BTB-ABVV) reported that when the driver hit his head, he managed to escape without serious injuries.
“When a bus driver on line 36 was sitting in a mobile toilet for his toilet break at the IGLO stop, the youths shook the toilet and tried to push it over. The man hit his head, but luckily he was able to get out of the toilet on his own,”
Says union member Wim De Jonghe (BTB-ABVV).
“The drivers on line 36 immediately stopped working. Moreover, it was not the first incident on that line ,”
Says De Jonghe.
On Sunday, the drivers resumed work and entered into discussions with several young people.
“We know from previous incidents where these young people hang out. We went to see them to talk to them. Saamo, a non-profit organization that works with young people, several bus drivers, inspectors, the police and several of our union members were present at the discussion,”
Says De Jonghe.
“We have explained to the young people that such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. Bullying of bus drivers must stop. Such incidents also have an immediate impact on the service on that line, because drivers then immediately stop working. Young people are always welcome on the bus, but they must behave.”
“It was a constructive conversation, the young people responded with understanding. Everyone wants to find a solution together. We explained to them that the drivers just want to do their job. We are hopeful that it will remain calm and quiet and especially that the bus drivers can work in safe conditions,”
Says De Jonghe.
Line 36 is currently operated by De Lijn subcontractors. They advocate permanent toilets for the bus drivers.
“So that they can take a sanitary break in a building in a quiet and especially safe way. We also want closed cabins for the drivers,”
Says De Jonghe.
De Jonghe says that there will hopefully be further consultations with De Lijn in the coming days.
“The drivers have also been asked to report all incidents via the dispatch, but we mainly hope that it remains calm.”
What is the broader context of safety concerns for bus drivers in Antwerp?
The incident represents one in a series of ongoing safety threats that impact public transportation personnel in Antwerp and throughout other areas.
A recent incident where the socialist trade union BTB-ABVV claims De Lijn buses were attacked by an air rifle has sparked their warning about growing work-related violence. This incident prompted the union to call for urgent talks, emphasising that “Driver safety is at stake,”. De Lijn conducts assessments to determine deploying security staff in areas with a history of violence, according to reports about youth-related public transportation incidents.
A group of youths brutalised a bus driver to unconsciousness while operating between Melsele and Antwerp in August 2012. The case of ambulance theft in Antwerp symbolises wider youth behaviour problems that demand strategic solutions to safeguard public transport workers and citizens.
