Bus driver calls for 24-hour security after attack

An Edmonton bus driver who was attacked by teenagers last week is calling for 24-hour security at some of the city's major transit centres.

"What I would like to see is somebody, maybe just a regular security guard, walk around the transit centres at night in some of the trouble transit centres like Millwoods, Kingsway, Coliseum. [They could be] there on maybe Thursday, Friday, Saturdays when the worst trouble seems to be," transit driver James Bird told CBC News.

Three teenagers punched and kicked Bird on Friday during an argument about a fare at the Millwoods station. Bird had refused to allow one of them on his bus because he suspected the teen's transfer ticket was stolen.

The teens punched Bird several times and shoved him into the side of the bus, knocking him to the ground. Two passengers then intervened and helped scare off the attackers.

According to Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) policy, drivers are supposed to stay seated, regardless of what's going on inside or outside the bus, and call for help.

Bird left his seat to deal with the situation during Friday's confrontation.

The ETS has already taken steps to beef up security since March 2 when a passenger was swarmed and beaten on a city bus. Stefan Conley, 35, was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Four teens were charged with manslaughter in that incident and have since been released on bail.

After Conley's death, 32 security officers were authorized to carry pepper spray and expandable batons on transit property.

Bird admits it's unrealistic to place security officers on every bus, but notes that there's never any trouble whenever a security officer is on board.

ETS terminals have security cameras, but they are monitored only on a rotating basis.