“That’s Why You Can Only Be a Driver”: Passenger Whacks Bus Driver in the Back of the Head... ‘Bus Rampages’ Threaten Passenger Safety

[Financial News] Concerns about safety and civic awareness on public transportation are growing as incidents of passengers causing disturbances, verbally abusing or assaulting bus drivers and other passengers, continue to occur.
According to JTBC's 'Sageonbanjang,' a bus driver in Busan was recently assaulted without provocation by a male passenger while driving a city bus. As the bus traveled downhill, a middle-aged man who had slipped from his seat began hurling profanities, claiming, "I was hurt because of the driver." He continued making threatening remarks to the students on board. Feeling threatened, Driver A stopped the bus and called the police. The man then approached the driver's seat and struck Driver A forcefully in the back of the head.
Driver A first made sure the passengers got off safely before submitting footage of the incident to the police who arrived at the scene. He went to an emergency room that day for severe dizziness and vomiting and is now suffering from extreme trauma.
Assaulting a public transportation driver while the vehicle is moving or stopped can lead to a major secondary accident and is subject to severe punishment. Under Article 5-10 of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes, anyone who assaults or threatens a driver operating a motor vehicle may face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
In addition to physical violence, incidents in which passengers shout for extended periods, disrupt bus operations, or cause discomfort to other passengers are also common.
The Seoul Northern District Court's Criminal Division 8, presided over by Judge Kim Cheon-su, sentenced a woman in her 70s to a fine of 2 million won. She had been indicted on charges of obstructing business and insult for hurling abuse at a driver because the bus had driven past her before stopping and disrupting the vehicle's operation for about 26 minutes. At the time, she allegedly made insulting remarks to the driver, including, "Since that's all you can do, all you can be is a driver," and shouted at passengers who tried to stop her. The court explained its sentencing decision, stating, "The victim not only felt insulted, but the other passengers also experienced significant inconvenience."
In Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, a middle-aged woman caused a disturbance by conducting a loud phone call for an extended period while handling banking business on a bus. When passengers and the driver asked her to refrain from talking on the phone, she responded with abuse, saying, "It's public transportation—can't I even make a phone call?" and "If it's too noisy, take a taxi." Just before getting off, she even spat in front of the bus door.
As public transportation, which serves as the lifeline of citizens, comes under threat from the verbal abuse and disruptive behavior of some inconsiderate passengers, calls are growing for strong legal measures to protect the safety of workers and the majority of passengers, along with the establishment of basic riding etiquette.


[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter