THE assault of a bus driver the day before another was killed has further highlighted the dangers of the job.
Police have appealed for witnesses to a man allegedly spitting in the face of driver Stephen Dobbs at Carindale on Thursday afternoon.
The 59-year-old driver said he wanted to speak out about the assault for the sake of other drivers.
“We just want to feel safe when we do our job. We don’t want trouble,” he said.
On Friday morning in Moorooka a 29-year-old bus driver died allegedly when a flammable item was thrown at him.
A 48-year-old man has been charged with one count each of murder and arson and eleven counts of attempted murder after that incident.
Speaking about the assault on Thursday, Mr Dobbs said the man used the rear door to get onto bus 250 at Capalaba about 2.25pm.
The driver of 10 years said he told the man to use the front door.
“I explained it (the rear door) was an exit only and that he needed to touch on with his go card at the front or pay,” said Mr Dobbs.
He said the man responded by swearing and then sat with other adults and children who had got onto the bus through the front door.
“I thought I would just let sleeping dogs lie,” he said.
The driver heard other passengers ask the man to stop swearing during the journey.
At Carindale the man was the last to get off the bus.
“He waited for everyone to get off. He was the only one left .
“He touched his card and then spat in my face and took off,” said Mr Dobbs.
The driver said he was shaking after the incident.
“That has never happened to me before,” he said.
He said the assault was horrible, but was relieved that he wore glasses which would have given him some protection.
Mr Dobbs said he washed his face, but then had to return to his job.
Capalaba police station’s Constable Pete Johnston said police were investigating a case of serious assault.
“It was a disgraceful assault of a serious nature committed on an integral member of our community,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the assault or who can assist police is asked to contact Capalaba police on 3433 3333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
