TRANSPORT union RMT raised concerns over government plans to have bus drivers handle anti-social and criminal behaviour today.

The union called for the creation of a specific offence for assaulting bus staff after a survey found that nine in 10 drivers believe the proposals will put them at risk.

Bus drivers are already being pushed to breaking point by low pay, excessive hours and rising violence on the job, the union’s survey found.

More than seven in 10 said that low pay is the main reason colleagues are leaving the job, with many earning less than warehouse or hospitality staff.

Nearly half reported working excessive hours, while 70 per cent suffer from musculoskeletal pain linked to long shifts and poor cab design.

Around two-thirds have experienced abuse, violence, or anti-social behaviour at work in the past year, the survey of more than 500 bus drivers across the country found.

The union demanded tougher laws to protect workers from abuse, including mandatory CCTV, prosecution of offenders, and a new offence for assaults on bus staff.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Bus workers are being squeezed from every direction, forced to endure low pay, long hours and to cope with serious assaults.

“We are calling for a change in the law to make it a specific offence to assault a transport worker — just as it already is for emergency service workers and retail staff in Scotland.

“Legislation going through Parliament would require bus workers to be trained on identifying, responding to and where safe to do so, preventing anti-social and criminal behaviour.

“We have serious concerns about the impact of these proposals on our members’ safety.”

The Department for Transport was contacted for comment.