When Paul Johns, his guide dog and a mate caught a bus in the NSW Hunter region to grab some dinner, they did not expect the trip to end in tears, with the pair fearing for their safety.
Johns, a disability support care worker, said he was catching a Keolis Downer bus on Monday afternoon with his Labrador Tate, and a visually impaired friend in Newcastle, when the bus driver allegedly verbally abused him.
He said the driver had asked him to produce a guide dog permit, a request to which Johns responded that it would take him some time to find the document in his bag.
“He started saying you people think the world owes you something … he was saying I should know better,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
“I was shaking, I was really upset.”
The alleged abuse continued during the bus trip into Hamilton, about a 15-minute drive.
According to Transport for NSW’s Assistance Animals Policy, valid accreditation for guide dogs must be produced “if requested by an authorised officer” such as police and transport officers.
But while Johns had a valid permit in his wallet for Tate, vision-impaired people are not required to show accreditation to catch a bus in NSW.
“I just can’t work out why someone could be so aggressive.
“It made me feel sick, so I was trying to get off the bus, but he wouldn’t stop,” Johns alleged.
Johns said as soon as the bus stopped, he got off and marched over to the bus depot to report the incident.
“I had to go out the rear door because I was just mortified and didn’t want to walk past him … I didn’t know how someone could be so nasty to someone in that moment,” he said.
“So, I told him I was going to report it, and he said, ‘I don’t care what you do’.”
Johns said he had been catching public transport in the area every day for years and had never experienced anything like it previously.
“You know, people will make comments here and there, and it’s embarrassing, but I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he said.
He said a friend had stopped going outside with her guide dog altogether after someone targeted her in public and tried to steal her handbag.
“So unfortunately we have to speak up because otherwise things aren’t going to change,” he said.
Johns said he knew he “had to be strong” at that moment and report the matter.
“I was deadset to report it, it has to be dead with, I walked two blocks that night in the dark just to get to the depot,” he said.
“People do this because they think you’re a target.”
Investigation launched
Newcastle-based bus company Keolis Downer Hunter said it was aware of the incident and is grateful to Johns for raising the issue.
“We have apologised to Mr Johns for his experience, and remain in contact with him to provide support if required and keep him updated on the investigation,” a spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au
“We assure Mr Johns that we are taking this matter extremely seriously.
“An investigation is currently underway, including reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.”
