METRO Vancouver Transit Police responded to two separate incidents of violence toward bus operators last weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, an individual boarded a bus in White Rock and pointed a firearm at the bus operator. Surrey RCMP officers arrived first on scene, with Transit Police officers arriving shortly after. The individual was arrested and the firearm, which was determined to be a replica, was seized.

In another incident, on Sunday evening, a man boarded three different buses in New Westminster within the span of a few minutes. He threatened the bus operators as he tried to assault them.  With assistance from New Westminster Police officers, the individual was arrested before he could board additional buses.

“The suspects from both incidents are known to police. One has been released on conditions and the other remains in custody. Reducing frontline workplace assaults is a Transit Police operational priority. Transit employees work hard to keep the transit system moving. When their safety is threatened, Transit Police take it seriously, investigate fully, and will always strive to make sure that the individual involved is held accountable to the full extent possible,” said Sgt. Dustin Szakacs.