Dear Member,

The latest BusMark Hot Topic Survey on Bus & Coach Driver Safety and Security reveals an urgent need for stronger deterrents to protect frontline staff. If you haven’t already seen our press release on the survey results do so now here – and I am also pleased to say the news has already been covered by Bus & Coach Buyer News.

Operators across both urban and rural networks report increasing levels of verbal and physical abuse and are calling for tougher penalties for offenders, alongside a renewed national effort to promote respect for drivers. The findings also underline the importance of long-term education. Members highlighted that lasting cultural change cannot be achieved through enforcement alone; early awareness and positive engagement - particularly through schools and community organisations - are essential to building respect for drivers.

BusMark is calling on government bodies, local authorities, courts, schools, and transport stakeholders to work together by:

• Increasing penalties for all forms of abuse or assault against drivers
• Ensuring consistent police engagement and timely responses to incidents
• Embedding respect-for-drivers content within school programmes

The survey gathered insights from experts within CILT(UK)’s BusMark community – as well as a broad cross-section of the bus and coach sector. Alongside identifying challenges, respondents also offered practical solutions. Key findings include:

• Most operators maintain robust incident records and provide conflict-diffusion and safety training.
• CCTV is widely deployed, though police response times remain variable.
• Views on driver protection screens are mixed: many operators value them, while others feel they affect customer interaction.
• There is strong support for closer collaboration with police, local authorities, and the media to improve driver safety.

Looking ahead, BusMark believes the sector has a real opportunity to redefine how society values and protects its frontline transport workforce. Through continued collaboration, smarter investment, and a shared commitment to cultural change, we can build a future where every driver feels safe, respected, and supported.

Thank you, 

Austin Birks, Vice Chair of CILT(UK) and Chair of the Institute’s Bus & Coach Forum