Bus drivers will be given more protection as the state government attempts to tackle growing rates of violence on public transport. 

More than $60 million will be spent over the next five years to employ network officers “where they are needed most”, while police will focus on services in inner-Brisbane.

Translink earlier this week announced two bus services would no longer stop in the western suburbs after dark following claims that drivers were fearing for their safety.

The initial phase will see 29 officers deployed on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and in Logan.

While Jared Abbott from the Transport Workers’ Union welcomed the investment, he told Sofie Formica he’s concerned additional network officers won’t be effective.

“There’s no point putting network officers into the system if they’re going to be continue to be used the way they currently are,” he said.

“What we currently see is network officers at bus stops where there’s no problems, riding the non-high-risk routes and being in places where they’re essentially not effective.

“This can’t just be a situation where we throw money at the problem and hope it goes away.”

Press PLAY below to hear what the union likes about the announcement 

Image: Getty