Lockdown bus driver attack - second attack

Hi Gabrielle, if you get a minute and if Dad doesn't mind.....how is he doing now? Often think of you guys xx

Hi again Gabrielle - Yes, I can see the objection to cages, but an unbreakable screen up to at least head height, securely bolted from the inside? It could be curved inwards at the top, like on Grafton Bridge. Alternatively, they could go with the cages and add a secure door on the right of the driver. It might not be feasible to retrofit an extra door to existing buses for reasons of structural ridigity but they could be standard on all new orders.

If we were talking about office staff rather than bus drivers, you can be sure that a solution would have been found and implemented long ago.

I got to thinking after my previous question about screens. During lockdown essential workers such as supermarket staff, bank tellers and so on have been protected by the same kind of perspex screen I was talking about, so why aren't bus drivers? Why hasn't AT provided similar to protection to their customer-facing staff during Covid-19? This is on top of the original question of why they haven't done it already. If their answer is that they're studying it, then that really isn't good enough. This should be a priority, so lay off the road improvements until you get it done.

I can hardly believe your poor father has had a second attack while doing his job, and so soon after the previous one. I wish him all the best in his recovery from a violent assault which should never have happened. Auckland has become a very dangerous city and essential workers are at more risk than the rest of us. Which brings me to my question: all major cities that I'm familiar with have their drivers fenced off behind see-through protective screens with just a narrow slot to pass money or tickets through - how much would it cost Auckland Transport to do that? They're happy enough to spend money trying to recruit more drivers, but maybe this kind of on-the-job danger doesn't help? Just wondering. Maybe we need to start a campaign..

Hi glad to hear dad has got back on the horse (or is that in the bus) can you advise if the little brats have been before the court ?

Also did the company come to the party re their insurance replacing glasses and with the appropriate sick leave

Hey Gabrielle, I've been refreshing the page often as I love to see the donations grow! If you have a minute, I'm sure we'd all love to know how your dear Dad is doing. No problem though if he wants his privacy. Thinking of you guys and lots of love. Deb

Well the total is approaching the $25,000 mark. Your father will get some comfort from the outpouring of support that he has received. It is absolutely terrible that this has happened to a hard working man of his age.

Hi as your dad was injured during the course of his employment through no fault of his own surly sick leave should apply

I’d be asking the personal manager to cover this if the answer is no I’d be approaching the general manager

Don’t really want to ask but has any recipes been issued A family that has lost everything has already done so

Hi Gabrielle, we heard about your dad's story and we're so sorry to hear of the attack. We'd love to help out - are you able to shoot us a message on our official Facebook page here? https://www.facebook.com/SpecsaversNewZealand Otherwise please feel free to send me an email and we'll see how we can help. I work in the PR team for Specsavers and my email is madison.allen@specsavers.com Thanks and stay safe, Madison

I am sorry, I am unable to donate at this stage but I see you have far surpassed your goal. I am so thankful that he will be able to rest for a while before returning to work. My utmost sympathy goes to you and your dad, this is disgusting behavior and he most certainly does not deserve this. sending love and thoughts to your dad

Just a line to say how appalling this unprovoked attack was, and applaud your Dad for handling it very well indeed, by not allowing the evil intent with in them and that girl, to of to provoked him to hit them, exactly what they no doubt had wanted. They not only brought shame on themselves but also to their own families. Your Dad should now take a good earnt holiday for lest a week. Stay Strong Stay Brave. Airforce family- Phillips family /Palmerston North.

Hi there I'm so happy to see that you've set up this page for your dad, what an awful thing to happen!

I would have thought because this is a workplace incident his employer would be responsible for replacing any personal items(glasses) damaged while at work?