Bus driver killed at work
Late at night on Sunday 17 May Sergei Krajev, 64, a bus driver working for First Bus on the 49 from Shepherd’s Bush bus garage to Clapham, was attacked on the Battersea Bridge section of the route.
The driver was assaulted by a man in his 30s, who remains in police custody.
Mr Krajev spent two days in intensive care at St George’s Hospital, but died on 19 May. His family paid tribute to him:
“We feel fortunate to have had such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather in our lives.
“He was a thoughtful, tactful and conscientious person who cared about those around him.
“In his role as a bus driver, he was punctual, reliable and willing to help. He valued good relationships with his colleagues and approached his duties with care and dedication.
“We are grateful to the police officers, healthcare workers and emergency services involved for their care, professionalism and compassion.
“Our thoughts are also with other public-facing transport workers who may be distressed or alarmed by this news.”
Unite the union has called for immediate action. General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our thoughts go out to Sergei Krajev’s family. A father, husband and grandfather, who went out to work and did not come home.
“TFL needs to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all bus workers. No bus worker should be subjected to violence whilst carrying out their duties. TFL and the bus companies must now swiftly introduce training for drivers on how to respond and deal with violent confrontations.”
Training on how to deal with violence and to diffuse such situations is provided by Transport to London for London Underground staff but bus drivers do not currently receive such training.
A Unite survey from 2024 found that there had been 818 assaults and hate crimes on bus drivers, up 20% on the previous year and this trend continues to rise. TfL reports an average of 200 violent incidents a week on transport workers. Drivers complain that when they call for assistance no one comes to help and that they are fear retribution from employers if they raise safety concerns.
Privatisation of the buses in the 1980s and 1990s means that all demands of the workforce for improved safety and welfare facilities compete with the shareholder’s demand to maximise profit. Basic safety on the buses would be improved if our buses were publically owned and run as a public service.
Our thoughts are with Mr Krajez’s family and loved ones at this time and with the transport workers who continue to serve the public despite the extreme levels of violence and aggression they face. It is through our solidarity and organisation as workers that we can build a safer and more civilised world and honour our colleagues who have fallen at work.
