Canadian: $2000 Reward For Information On Assualt On Vancouver Translink Bus Driver
There is a $2000 reward being offered by the TransLink transit operators union for information on a man who brutally assaulted a bus driver on July 26 in Vancouver at 6th and Main Street. The assault took place in mid-afternoon.
The Vancouver Police Department did initially detain a suspect, but the suspect was allowed to go free when any witnesses who came forward at the time could make no positive id. An accomplice was also briefly detained and released.
Jim Houlahan who is the Vice-President of CAW 111, says that as of today there have already been 123 assaults against transit staff in 2007. In 2006, there were a recorded 241 assaults on transit staff in Greater Vancouver.
"The bus driver was punched in the head 10 times, then kicked in the head when he was knocked to the ground - all for simply asking the rider to see proof of fare purchase. We are determined as a union to put a stop to these vicious and cowardly assaults on our members - assaults which not only seriously injure bus drivers but put all passengers at risk as well." Sutherland said.
TransLink and Coast Mountain Bus Company have announced that they will be installing close-circuit cameras on buses to help deter such crimes from happening, and if they do, to help positively id the suspects. Buses will also now be "fare-paid" zones, where transit police, not the drivers, enforce the payment of fares.
Anyone who may have witnessed this crime or anyone who can identify the attacker is asked to please contact the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-2680 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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