Female Driver Fights off an Attempted Hijacking of a Mississauga Transit Bus – ATU is Calling for Immediate Action and Response from the City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2022 Statement

Female Driver Fights off an Attempted Hijacking of a Mississauga Transit Bus – ATU is Calling for Immediate Action and Response from the City

On May 31, 2022, at 1:00 am an incident occurred on a MiWay Bus in Mississauga, Ontario where a patron attempted to overtake the operation of a public transit vehicle. While the attempted hijacker wrestled with the female operator to take control of the bus, the operator fought him off and was able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Subsequently, a MiWay supervisor arrived at the scene and as the attempted hijacker left the bus, he caused further damage by driving away in the supervisor’s vehicle before he crashed the vehicle and was apprehended.

“This is just another reminder of the dangers our transit professionals face daily in the line of duty,” says Jack Jackson, President of ATU Local 1572.

“The City of Mississauga needs to take all acts of aggression more seriously, as they are clear precursors to more serious events that may follow. Events like we just witnessed. Proper front-line support and better response times are just a start to protecting our members,” continued Jackson.

“The increasing number of Operator assaults and violence we face reinforces our call for immediate action with better protection for the riding public and our Operators,” said ATU Canada President, John Di Nino. “As the transit operator processes this traumatic event, we will offer support and assistance for a speedy recovery.”

It’s no secret that transit operator assaults are on the rise in the greater Toronto area including Mississauga, yet our cities appear to be making little or no effort to provide better protection or implement serious penalties for those who assault operators. Like other frontline workers, transit operators were considered heroes during the worst of the pandemic as they continued to work despite the risk, so people could get to work or essential appointments. As we continue to see these same transit operators being assaulted – why don’t our Municipalities take action to protect them?

Media Contacts:
Jack Jackson, ATU Local 1572 President, 647-701-3169, [email protected]
John Di Nino, ATU Canada President, 416-938-0746, [email protected]

Read CBC coverage:  Passenger tries hijacking Mississauga, Ont. bus, driver fights him off: union | CBC News