Tom Bregg's Law issues stiffer penalties for transit attacks

Transit drivers across the country are celebrating the passing of a new law, a victory that began tragically with a savage attack on an Edmonton bus driver.

“So much effort by so many people for so long has finally come to fruition,” says Steve Bradshaw, Amalgamated Transit Union local 569 president. “We're elated.”

The law is designed to bring more severe penalties for people who attack bus drivers anywhere in Canada. 

 Bregg's Law was introduced by Edmonton-St. Albert MP Brent Rathgeber and is named for Edmonton transit driver Tom Bregg

Five years ago Bregg was driving his route in north Edmonton during the morning rush hour when he was pulled from his seat by a drunken man, punched, dragged off his bus and stomped.

Bregg suffered brain injuries and lost the sight in one eye.

Unfortunately Bregg’s case is not unusual, the union said.

Across Canada, more than 2,000 members experience "career-ending and life-altering" assaults each year, according to the union’s statistics.

In Edmonton, transit drivers reported about 60 attacks last year, but the union believes the number is higher because many minor assaults go unreported.

Bradshaw said the next step is to prevent attacks in the first place, by taking fare collection out of the hands of drivers.

The attack on Bregg began as an argument over $2.50 bus fare. 

Bradshaw also said more security is needed on buses as night service expands in the city.