A passenger has reportedly been threatened with a knife, struck with a bottle, dragged off a bus and bashed in an incident the union has slammed as escalating violence on the Newcastle network.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW said the assault came just weeks after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly seriously assaulted at East Maitland, leaving bus drivers fearful for their safety.
According to the union, a passenger told a driver at Islington just after 10pm on Wednesday that he had been threatened with a knife, and that when the bus stopped, he was allegedly struck in the head with a bottle and dragged off.
The RTBU confirmed the incident had been reported to police.
The union's division president, Peter Grech, said working conditions were making recruitment and retention more difficult across the city's bus network.
"It's unacceptable that it has become common for our drivers to face violent and anti-social behaviour while working around the Hunter, nor should passengers have to fear violence simply for using public transport," he said.
"Drivers have repeatedly raised concerns about what is happening on their buses, but they are given almost no authority to deal with it."
Keolis Australia and New Zealand, which operates Newcastle Transport, has said the safety of team members was a top priority.
A Keolis Hunter spokesperson said they were taking the latest incident very seriously and there was "no place for violence or disrespect on our services".
"Our dedicated security team attended the incident quickly, along with police and ambulance," the spokesperson said.
"We are working closely with NSW Police and providing all available information and assistance to support their investigation.
"The driver followed the correct protocols - remaining calm, staying in his seat and notifying the Operational Control Centre. We commend him for his professionalism.
We extend our support to the victim and his family at this difficult time."
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The reported Wednesday night incident came after three teenage girls were charged with seriously assaulting a fourth.
Police allege a 14-year-old girl in East Maitland was assaulted on a bus and dragged off when it stopped on Victoria Street, where the assault continued, about 4pm on August 19.
A bystander intervened to help the girl while the other three ran from the scene. The 14-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police have arrested a 13-year-old girl, a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl. Investigations continue.
Mr Grech said drivers had repeatedly raised concerns about incidents on board their buses.
"This is all going on while they are paid 29 bucks an hour for the privilege," he said.
"Being exposed to this sort of violence for wages like that, while working difficult shifts and carrying enormous responsibility, it is really no mystery why the Hunter bus network is struggling to attract and retain drivers.
"You cannot run a reliable bus network if the people you rely on to operate it are underpaid, exhausted and increasingly frightened about what they might face when they turn up for a shift."
Mr Grech said drivers were finding it difficult even to deal with issues like vaping.
