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Bus driver assaulted with pepper spray; teens charged

Another Edmonton Transit bus driver has been assaulted over a fare dispute.

EDMONTON — Another Edmonton Transit bus driver has been assaulted over a fare dispute.

The latest attack saw a veteran driver blasted in the face with a can of pepper spray Monday morning after two teens got in an argument with him at the Coliseum Transit Station.

The driver wasn’t seriously hurt, but police say the attacks are troubling.

Earlier this month, 58-year-old driver Tom Bregg was dragged off a bus and kicked repeatedly after a passenger got angry by the fare.

Sgt. Robinder Gill said the teens, aged 14 and 15, were nabbed less than 10 minutes later waiting at another bus stop. The pair are charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

Their names cannot be released due to provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Chuck Van Deel Piepers, safety operations co-ordinator for Edmonton Transit Service, said drivers are trained to avoid dangerous situations.

He said they won’t bring in driver safety shields despite the recent incidents. The pepper-sprayed driver had his eyes flushed out, while six other passengers also reported some exposure to the noxious spray.