Same passenger repeatedly assaulted Rotterdam bus driver, prompting investigation
A bus driver in Rotterdam was assaulted twice by the same passenger, once on Friday afternoon and previously on March 7, prompting a police investigation, anger from public transport operator RET, and renewed concern about rising aggression toward public service workers.
According to Hart van Nederland, the latest attack happened on a crowded, moving RET bus when a passenger boarded at Kleinpolderplein. The driver recognized the man from a prior incident on March 7 and attempted to alert colleagues. At that moment, the passenger struck the driver multiple times. The suspect fled after the assault.
RET said it is “extremely shocked” and angry about the attack. “You stay away from our people; it is as simple as that,” the company said. RET confirmed it has filed a police report and is assisting authorities in tracking down the suspect. The operator said it is deploying additional staff on the streets, including plainclothes personnel, adding, “This kind of behavior cannot go without consequences.”
Police said the driver had already been a victim of the same man earlier in March. On March 7, the passenger boarded at Abtsweg, where his transit card did not work. After the driver asked him to leave the bus, the man reportedly became aggressive and slapped the driver.
The incidents have also fueled anger among members of the public, many of whom reacted to the Friday assault with shock at bystanders who did not intervene. A woman told Hart van Nederland, “It is very intense, and there are all those people around, and nobody intervenes. And they do film it; that is ridiculous.” A man said, “Those people are just doing their job, so you should treat them with respect.”
Police and the Public Prosecution Service have opened an investigation and are calling on witnesses to come forward.
