2023-11-04 06:52:00
In 2022, attacks once morest Tec bus drivers – Walloon public transport – increased significantly. Over the whole of 2022, no less than 142 attacks were recorded. A significant increase since in 2018, this figure was 95 attacks. In total, in 2022, if we take the total number of work accidents (assaults are part of it) in the different Tec, there are “272 work accidents for a total of 13,691 days of incapacity”, explains the Walloon Minister of Mobility, Philippe Henry (Ecolo) in a response to a written question asked by a member of parliament.
To respond to this situation in a particular context, since the Tec, lacking staff, is looking for many drivers, the transport operator has put in place a five-year plan.
Mourning in a TEC depot in Charleroi, drivers are “fed up”: “The doors are open but no bus comes out”
By working in particular on issuing tickets. “Given that a majority of attacks occur following a lack of transport ticket, the TEC wishes to take into account new orientations such as the EMV system (payment with bank card on board the vehicle) or a post-payment logic so that a traveler can easily get their transport ticket in order,” explains the minister.
Le Tec will also strengthen its security system by sending teams to buses that run late in the evening and during the night. “An extension of the coverage of areas with video surveillance by camera allowing virtual patrols will be carried out,” insists Henry. An increase in title checks and large-scale actions in collaboration with the police, control and security services is also planned.
Generalization of anti-aggression windows
At Tec Charleroi and Liège-Verviers, 100% of buses are equipped with anti-aggression glass which protects the driver. Today, 60% of Walloon buses have this equipment. In the future, the 40% who do not have one will also be equipped.
Finally, internal training for Tec employees who are in direct contact with customers will be organized. “These training courses focus specifically on the management of altercations, identify the causes of conflict situations and help to understand the concept of aggressiveness and thus improve communication.”
Philippe Henry further specifies that the problem is not limited to Walloon buses alone. The country’s three other operators (Stib, De Lijn and SNCB at the attendant level) are also affected by an increase in attacks. Philippe Henry took the initiative to set up “An action plan once morest attacks on public transport. It will be established soon. The working group will bring together the cabinets Verlinden (Interior – CD&V) and Van Tigchelt (Justice – Open VLD), as well as representatives of the OTW (Editor’s note: which oversees the Tec), the SPW (Editor’s note: Walloon administration), the FBAA (Belgian Federation of Buses and Coaches), the police and the college of attorneys general”.
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