A TEC bus driver was assaulted on Monday in Nimy, Mons (Hainaut), after reminding a passenger about the requirement to have a valid travel ticket, the Walloon public transport company has announced.
“The passenger struck the driver on the shoulder with his fist before fleeing the scene,” the TEC stated. The driver was reportedly shaken by the incident.
“Psychological support has been offered, and a police complaint will be filed,” said Rémy Prévot, the executive director of TEC Hainaut. “Such assaults are unacceptable, and we condemn them in the strongest terms. Violence must never be normalised.”
The company also referred to an open letter from 28 November 2024, signed by over 500 employees, which called for collective awareness about respecting public transport staff. “That message remains relevant today: each individual’s behaviour, words, and respect can help make buses a safe and peaceful space,” the TEC reiterated.
Local media, citing union sources, reported that disruptions to bus services in the Borinage region could be expected on Tuesday.
