LCGB Calls for Urgent Safety Measures Following Assault on Bus Driver

On Thursday 20 March 2025, the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) expressed its “deep concern and indignation” following a recent assault on a bus driver operating the RGTR line between Luxembourg and Villerupt (France).

The union called on all companies in the transport sector to take immediate and concrete measures to protect their employees against all forms of violence, whether physical or verbal.

“The drivers' accounts, describing a climate of fear, stress and insecurity, are unacceptable. The verbal and physical attacks, some of which required medical attention, highlight a critical situation that has persisted for far too long. It is unacceptable that workers, including women, are continually exposed to such risks during their work”, the LCGB stated.

The Luxembourg-Villerupt route has been identified for years as a “problematic line”, yet the LCGB believes that protective measures for drivers remain insufficient, and that concrete action is still lacking.

The union recalled that during a public transport safety steering committee held in November 2021, the LCGB secured a budget from the Ministry of Mobility for the installation of protective cabins in buses to safeguard operating staff. While 43% of the RGTR fleet is now equipped with these protective cabins, the union stressed that this figure remains insufficient. The LCGB is now demanding the “accelerated rollout” of such protective equipment, with “priority given to high-risk routes”, including those serving Villerupt, Longwy and Mont-Saint-Martin in France.

In response to the recent incident and ongoing concerns, the LCGB has issued a list of immediate and tangible measures it believes are necessary to protect bus drivers:

- rapid installation of secure driver cabins on all buses operating on high-risk routes;
- increased police presence at bus stops in sensitive areas to deter assaults;
- enhanced security checks and surveillance on board vehicles and at stops located on the French side of the border;
- improved training for drivers in conflict management and handling tense situations;
- systematic psychological support for drivers who are victims of aggression or experience chronic stress;
- strengthened cross-border dialogue and cooperation between Luxembourg and French authorities to ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers.

The LCGB reaffirmed its full support for the drivers operating on this route and commended their courage in the face of "alarming" situations and "unacceptable" working conditions. The union stated it would continue to mobilise and use all available means to achieve tangible improvements as quickly as possible.

IK