Tauranga bus drivers have begun a boycott of some stops in the city because of violent incidents and concerns for their safety along their routes.
Last month Checkpoint reported bus drivers were facing racial abuse and death threats from local school boys hanging out at the city's transport hub.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council conceded buses and public facilities had been vandalised and threats directed at the public too.
Council, one of the schools, police and the drivers' union have met several times to try and solve some of the problems but now the drivers say parts of the route are still too dangerous.
First Union Organiser Graham McKean said the drivers were happy that the union had taken a stand.
He was visiting the transport hub in Willis Street this evening and the scene was quiet, he said. Earlier a group of youths had come into the hub but the drivers did not allow them on the buses so "everything is peaceful."
In the last few weeks there have been several incidents, including a teen who was carrying a Taser and a girl carrying a knife was arrested.
"There's been assaults on schoolchildren, attempted thefts from elderly women passengers.
"The drivers are saying this isn't safe, we need to do something."
Attempts were being made to have the young people, some of whom are 13, trespassed, however, this has come up against current legislation and is being challenged, so the union has decided to act.
"If the community can't remove the kids, we'll remove the buses and that's exactly where we are at right now."
McKean said there were three main hotspots - the transport hub in Willis Street, the Bayfair shopping centre and a stop in Mt Maunganui.
"That's where the main congregation of the children is."
If groups of troublemakers are spotted by bus drivers, they won't stop and will carry on to the next bus stop "away from the hazard".
"It's purely known offenders - it's not a blanket ban on children."
Another meeting is being held next week to try and decide what more security can be offered so that bus drivers can feel safe, McKean said.
In the main the response has been positive although some people have asked why the children were not removed from the buses when they started causing trouble.
If a bus driver or member of the public was injured by a young offender it would be a breach of duty of care by the trade union, regional council and the bus company, McKean said.
Photo: Bay of Plenty Regional Council
