<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Warning: This story contains graphic content.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A bus driver is recovering from surgery after an alleged stabbing attack on the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sunshine Coast"><span>Sunshine Coast</span></a><span>, prompting calls from the transport union for the state government to take driver safety more seriously.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 44-year-old man has been charged after the 67-year-old driver was left with a "serious" stab wound following an altercation at Caloundra Station about 11.30am on July 12.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The driver underwent surgery to close the laceration in his neck after being transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/treasury-advice-leak-raise-taxes-lower-housing-targets-treasurer-jim-chalmers-response/37340233-73c5-4e79-8dce-f0dd01cdf759" target="_blank"><strong><span>Explosive leak reveals secret 'advice' for tax hike</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged offender was charged with serious assault of a person over 60, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bus drivers from the Transport Workers Union have now demanded the Queensland government reinstate the "bus safety forum", which was scrapped earlier this year.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sunshine-coast-bus-driver-allegedly-stabbed-charges-laid/8558def7-67c3-4240-bc45-5abb290c93c6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>TWU Queensland Director of Organising Josh Millroy said a safety forum was a crucial step in ensuring alleged attacks like this are prevented.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This latest attack, where a bus driver has been stabbed in the neck on the Sunshine Coast, is absolutely devastating. We're working closely with the driver and his colleagues," Millroy said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Translink and the State Government's decision to scrap these Safety Forums, without any consultation with drivers or their union, is a disgrace."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Millroy said there have been several serious assaults on drivers since March and that "countless" incidents of aggression and verbal abuse take place daily.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/ukraine-claims-russian-agents-who-assassinated-intelligence-officer-killed/59e123ee-1111-4276-bd15-f12657281ab2" target="_blank"><strong><span>Assassins who killed Ukraine intelligence officer 'eliminated'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a separate incident, a 21-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm after allegedly assaulting a driver, 46, in Brisbane on June 23.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The bus driver allegedly suffered serious bruising to his face, eye, cheeks and the back of his head.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Millroy said the forum would have been an opportunity for drivers to voice their concerns and ask for better safety measures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our members continue to face threats, abuse, and assault across Queensland's bus network," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These are not abstract risks, they are ongoing, traumatic, and very real. Removing the Forum removes transparency. It silences driver voices."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Millroy said he wrote to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg regarding this issue but has not heard back.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/" rel="" target="" title="9news.com.au"><span>9news.com.au</span></a><span> has contacted the Queensland Department of Transport for comment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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