Transit union calls for increased safety after driver attacked in Winnipeg

The union representing Winnipeg Transit drivers says more needs to be done to keep drivers safe following a recent attack. CTV’s Daniel Halmarson reports.

The union representing Transit bus drivers in Winnipeg says more needs to be done to prevent violent incidents on buses after a driver was attacked by a passenger Monday afternoon.

Winnipeg police confirmed they responded to an incident on Springfield and Gateway Road where a bus driver was allegedly assaulted by a passenger, who ran from the scene.

Chris Scott, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said the driver was assaulted with a weapon and is recovering. Winnipeg police would not confirm Tuesday if a weapon was involved.

“The operator is okay, at least physically, but we anticipate if he comes back driving at all, it’ll be a long time before he’s back behind the wheel of a bus,” he said.

So far in 2025, 221 reported security incidents have taken place on Winnipeg buses, up from 220 in all of 2024. Of those incidents, 90 involved drivers or Transit staff. Scott said Winnipeg Transit remains on track to surpass the 257 security incidents reported in 2023.

He said the union continues to push for a full protective shield around the bus driver to keep them safe.

“Although the damage to the barrier may have occurred, there wouldn’t have been the opportunity to circumvent that protection to get at the operator,” Scott said.

The City of Winnipeg has implemented several measures to improve transit safety. In 2023, community safety officers trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation started riding buses. The city has also cracked down on fare evasion and last month, Winnipeg police announced increased patrols around bus stops and more officers riding buses.

“We will continue to make our efforts to make our buses safer and our transit stops safer for both our drivers and our riders alike,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said Tuesday.

However, the union said safety concerns have also impacted driver retention, with 18 resignations alone among drivers in October.

“The number of resignations we’ve been receiving indicates that you can hire as many people as you want; if you don’t make the job safe or an attractive place to be in the long term, you’re just wasting money training all these people that are going to have no choice but to leave for their own safety,” Scott said.

-With files from CTV’s Daniel Halmarson and Taylor Brock