Government is planning to crack down on violent criminals who target public transport staff following the latest attack on a bus driver.

Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell and permanent secretary Francis Richardson will hold a crunch meeting with Public Transport Department bosses and union representatives tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Last month Mr Crockwell said driver safety was the “number one priority” of the Department of Public Transport and that measures were being taken to improve security on buses — including the installation of security cameras on new buses.

But Government will now consider introducing tougher penalties for violent criminals who target public transport workers.

Yesterday Mr Crockwell said: “The technological equipment that includes cameras and radios are tools that will assist the operator during an incident and provide post incident evidence.

“These tools are only part of the solution in deterring individuals and eliminating these types of incidents, therefore we also need to consider and review the penalties for this type of offence.

“In 2012 the Omnibus (Conduct) Regulations was amended to broaden the offences for which charges could be laid and we will seek the assistance of the Attorney General’s Chambers to determine if, and what further amendments, could be made.”

Tomorrow’s meeting was prompted by Monday morning’s assault by a female passenger on veteran driver Juliet Pearman-Tucker which left the 53-year-old with a black eye and sprained shoulder.

Ms Pearman-Tucker said she was set upon after the woman refused to pay her fare. Two other drivers were threatened and attacked last month.

Yesterday Ms Pearman-Tucker said she would not be intimidated by violent passengers and vowed to get back to work as soon as she has recovered from her injuries.

But she accused public transport bosses of failing to show any concern for her welfare after they were made aware of the attack.

And she also questioned why police had not arrested the suspect who punched her in the face, saying she understood authorities know the identity of her assailant.

Ms Pearman-Tucker spent several hours at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital following the attack and said she was now experiencing blurred vision in one eye.

“My face is also sore but it’s my shoulder that is my biggest worry because I can’t drive a bus if it’s injured,” Ms Pearman-Tucker, who has been a bus driver for 15 years, said.

“I love my job, love my passengers and can’t wait to get back to work and I’m not going to let this get me down. My spirits are up, I’m a strong woman and I have a lot of support out there.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since it happened. I’ve had a lot of calls of support from my colleagues and even some of my passengers. A Government Minister also called to offer his sympathy, which was very kind and understanding of him.

“Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing for the people I work for. I spent several hours in the hospital after the attack and then had to go up to the Public Transport Department offices afterwards.

“My union reps were already there having a meeting with management, but the managers just sent them out to speak to me.

“After 15 years at this job I would have expected them, as managers, to give myself and other staff some reassurance, to let us all know that they have our backs and are taking the issue seriously.”

Ms Pearman-Tucker said she planned to press charges and will be giving a statement to police later today.

But she questioned why police — who were called to the scene of the attack near the Henry VIII Pub in Southampton — had not since made an arrest.

A 22-year-old Sandys woman is believed to have carried out the attack but police said last night that the investigation was ongoing and witnesses were still being sought.

The issue of driver safety was also raised in Magistrates’ Court yesterday when a Southampton man pleaded guilty to attacking a bus driver last month. (see separate story.)

Kenneth Leverock, 23, repeatedly punched Edwin Phillips in the face and head after the driver had asked him to turn down the volume of music the passenger was playing on his phone.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered a social inquiry report, BARC report and a psychological evaluation before sentencing and Leverock was released on $5,000 bail.

A number of bus drivers attended the hearing and later told The Royal Gazette that authorities needed to take action.

“I would like to see a meeting with the Minister of Transport, with the Minister of Public Safety, with the Minister of [Home Affairs] Michael Fahy,” driver Mark Anderson said.

“I want a meeting with Crockwell, Fahy and Dunkley. They also need to have a meeting with the Police Commissioner as well as the BIU.

“They need to have the drivers have a meeting with all the bus operators so we can talk about the issues at hand. There are a lot of them.”