The Brisbane City Council has once again been accused of a lack of respect for public transport workers, following a dangerous incident where a bus driver was robbed.

Brisbane City Council Opposition Transport spokesperson Jared Cassidy has blasted Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner for his council’s refusal to reimburse the bus driver who had $300 in cash and personal effects taken by an axe-wielding bandit.

Cr Cassidy said the mayor had spent weeks defending an LNP councillor who took $300 return trips to concerts at Boondall. It was revealed today Cr Schrinner had run up a $2289 ratepayer-funded cab bill in less than three years when he was in charge of the council bus fleet and had a fully maintained free car.

“This is the most disgraceful hypocrisy I have seen in council,” Cr Cassidy said.

“Cr Schrinner has been rock-solid in his support for the rorts but has abandoned a driver robbed in the most terrifying circumstances. So it’s OK in his book for ratepayers to shout cabs to concerts for councillors but they can’t reimburse a driver robbed at work.

“It is heartless treatment and just shows how out of touch with reality this unelected mayor is.”

Council windfall

Cr Cassidy said the driver was a casual employee who was hit hard by the loss. He said council documents show that last financial year the council made a $7.7 million windfall profit on bus shelter ads alone.

“They refuse to invest these millions in security to stop these attacks and have rubbed salt into the driver’s wounds by leaving him $300 out of pocket for just doing his job.

"The mayor surrounds his office with security guards but has left drivers to fend for themselves. He is an appalling hypocrite.”