The Fiji Bus Operators Association is calling for stricter laws and harsher penalties to counter violence against public service vehicle (PSV) drivers.

Association acting general secretary Edwin Chand, made the plea after recent cases of alleged assault against PSV drivers.

He said the attacks on bus drivers must stop.

Less than a week ago Sanjay Pratap, a driver for Shore Buses was allegedly grabbed by the neck and pressed forward before he was allegedly punched repeatedly on his head inside his bus.

The incident left him with eight stitches on his head.

Bus driver Sanjay Pratap was also allegedly assaulted by a passenger a week ago. Photo: Viliame Tawanakoro

Last Friday, 28-year-old bus driver, Mervic Singh, was allegedly assaulted in his bus by a man near Toga, Rewa. He sustained injuries to his head and ribs. Mr Chand said the association does not condone any acts of violence.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed a 37-year-old man was in custody following the alleged assault of a bus driver last Friday.

Ms Naisoro said he remained in custody at the Nausori Police Station as investigations continue.

According to Ms Naisoro, the suspect was trying to board his leftover produce he went to sell at the market when the bus took off.

She said the suspect was alleged to have followed the bus driver up to Toga where he committed the offence which was caught on camera.

The accused has not yet been charged.

Alleged Assault Near Toga, Rewa According To The Victim

The incident last Friday was caught on camera and shared on TikTok which has since received more than 300 shares.

The bus driver, Mr Singh, said he was directed to service the Toga route at 12pm, last Friday.

He claimed that he was at the traffic light outside the market when the alleged suspect tried to stop the bus but he couldn’t wait any longer as the traffic lights had turned green.

“To avoid getting fined, I kept moving. While dropping a passenger before Vunisea Village in Toga when he saw a man getting off a Toyota Crown Comfort.”

“The man boarded the bus and asked why he did not stop the bus for him,” Mr Singh said.

“He got on the engine cover and started throwing punches.”

The first punch he missed, the second punch landed on the back of my head while the third one landed on my rib,” he said.

“No passengers tried to stop him. I was just following the road rules.”

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