A bus driver has been hospitalised after he was allegedly punched and choked by a passenger, in another incident of violence on the Newcastle public transport system.
The incident occurred about 6.50pm on Sunday June 7. According to police, a 32-year-old man was driving a bus from Maryland to Merewether beach when a passenger allegedly began being aggressive towards other passengers.
"The driver alerted his office and stopped at the intersection of Donald and Samdon streets, where the driver got off the bus," a police statement said.
Police will allege in court the driver was assaulted by the passenger, punching him in the face before choking him.
Newcastle police were called to the scene.
When they arrived, a 33-year-old man attempted to flee down Beaumont Street but was arrested after a short chase.
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The man was taken to Newcastle police station and charged with five offences including hinder or resist a police officer in the execution of their duty, assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty causing actual bodily harm, common assault, affray, and intentionally choking a person with recklessness.
He was refused police bail to appear in Newcastle Court on June 15, 2026.
The incident follows the alleged stabbing of a bus driver in February. A passenger has been accused of stabbing the driver in the hand and punching him while on board at Charlestown.
"Our drivers are being spat on, punched, assaulted and even stabbed. How many more workers need to end up injured or in hospital before this company treats safety as its highest priority?" Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW tram and bus division president Peter Grech said.
He has called the issue "a growing safety crisis" and claims that private bus company, Keolis Downer Hunter, has repeatedly failed to address the safety concerns of staff.
"This wasn't unpredictable," he said.
"Violence on our buses has become an ongoing pattern and Keolis Downer Hunter has failed to put in place measures that give workers and passengers confidence they will be protected.
"No worker should ever have to choose between earning a living and getting home safely to their family."
Mr Grech said the union is calling for urgent safety improvements on Newcastle buses including the introduction of full safety screens for drivers and for security support trucks to be employed by the company on a permanent basis.
A Keolis Hunter spokesperson said the company is investigating the incident and working with NSW Police.
"The safety of our people and customers is our top priority. We are providing support to our staff member and their family after the incident," the spokesperson said.
"No one should face abuse for simply doing their job and we will always act to protect our people. Verbal or physical aggression towards our staff and customers will not be tolerated."
