BUS drivers are suffering a tsunami of abuse and a surge in robberies, a report by their union revealed today.

Unite spoke to bus drivers after the death of a colleague in Scotland following an assault in February.

Keith Moray, 58, was attacked at Elgin bus station in Moray on the night of Friday February 2. A 15-year-old youth was arrested.

More than eight in 10 bus drivers who took part in Unite’s survey said they had been victims of abuse and more than half reported feeling unsafe at work.

The drivers reported a surge in robberies, with over half feeling unsafe at work. This is made worse late at night and in remote locations, the union said.

An anonymous Stagecoach bus driver in Yorkshire said: “I am extremely worried as I feel myself or colleagues will be seriously physically attacked while at work.

“The risk to us all regarding carrying large amounts of cash while on duty, and when walking late at night back to the depot, places us at extreme risk.

“The risk to us is severe, yet nothing is in place to mitigate those risks.”

Unite is demanding bus operators take action and is also calling for legislation to make assaults on bus drivers a specific offence.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “No-one should feel unsafe at work. Our research highlights that it is all too common for bus drivers to be subject to daily abuse. 

“This is completely unacceptable, and Unite is holding bus operators to account where they fail to protect workers.”

Unite national officer Bobby Morton said: “Bus drivers are demanding concrete legislation which provides statutory protection for transport workers. 

“Unite is committed to making this a reality.”