The union that represents Winnipeg Transit employees says one of its drivers was stabbed with a needle while on the job. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 said it happened at 12:42 a.m. on the Route F6 bus. The driver was stopped at Isabel Street and William Avenue when the union said a woman reached around the safety shield and stabbed the driver in the leg twice with a syringe. The driver was taken to hospital in stable condition. “This is yet another example of the unacceptable violence our members continue to face simply for doing their jobs,” said James Van Gerwen, the president of the union. This comes a day after another driver was threatened with a syringe by a passenger who told them not to move the bus, Van Gerwen said. “We get weekly notices of assaults happening on the buses,” he said. “We’ve had hatchets, we’ve had pellet guns, we’ve had mace, bear spray on the bus. It’s got to stop.” To provide more safety for drivers, the union is calling on the city to install full operator shields that would help prevent incidents like this from happening. The union said $2.7 million has been allocated for the shields but there have been delays in testing and installing them. “We’re fed up already. We know there’s a solution out there to stop this and we’re pushing hard for it,” said Van Gerwen. “They’re just stringing us along almost at this point.” Speaking with CTV News Wednesday, Coun. Janice Lukes, the chairperson of the public works committee, said she was not aware of the incident but called it terrible. Work has been underway to get full shields, she said, but notes it takes time to get things done. “We have to make a business case, then we put it into the budget and find the money and proceed,” said Lukes. She said all of council supports improved safety for transit drivers and believes everyone on council would vote to approve shield upgrades. “Nothing is more important than having driver safety because the drivers are driving around hundreds of people, right? If the drivers aren’t safe, nothing else really works.” The business case is going to be presented to the budget working group in November for consideration in next year’s budget, said Lukes. A spokesperson for the city said options to improve safety are always being explored. “Since 2017, the city has made more than $9.6 million in investments in transit safety initiatives, which have either been implemented or are in the process of being implemented,” they said. They confirmed the budget for shields will be included in Winnipeg Transit’s capital budget submission for 2027. Van Gerwen said drivers are growing increasingly frustrated with what is happening and want change. “We need movement on this and we need it now,” he said. Winnipeg police said it is aware of the incident and will provide more details at a later date.
