vandalism
Buses on line 36, which serves Linkeroever (Antwerp), will not depart after 7 p.m. for an indefinite period. The trade union BTB-ABVV announced this after another bus was damaged on Wednesday.
During emergency consultations, transport company De Lijn, the trade unions and the competent security services decided on Thursday afternoon that buses on line 36 in Antwerp will no longer run in the evening for an indefinite period. This is what Carine Dierckx, spokesperson for the Belgian Transport Workers Union (BTB-ABVV) says: “There is no driving after 7 p.m. This way we can guarantee rush hour for residents, but avoid problematic hours.”
The meeting took place after an incident in which several windows of a bus on route 36 were damaged on the inside. The circumstances of the incident are still unclear. Wouter Bruyns, spokesperson for the Antwerp police, suspects that the damage was done to the inside of the bus, but cannot provide a definitive answer. No one was injured.
Commitment to safety
Several incidents have occurred on the bus line in recent months. Last week, an incident in which an air gun was probably used led to an emergency meeting. Even then, drivers refused to drive out. According to Dierckx, they fear for their safety. “We are sending a clear distress signal.”
The unions are asking for more focus on safety. “Buses must be equipped with cameras and secure driver cabins. We also ask for increased control and good accessibility of the police, so that drivers do not feel alone. The city of Antwerp can also contribute, for example by setting up a neighborhood association.”
A private company is currently monitoring safety on the Left Bank. “But those people are away after office hours and that is when the incidents happen,” the union said.
