Bus drivers in Stadskanaal, Oude Pekela and Emmen want more security on the buses between Emmen and the registration center in Ter Apel. What also stings the drivers is that no one from the Qbuzz board was present during the protest. Carrier Qbuzz previously called the strike “disproportionate and extremely annoying for travelers”. In the meantime, the drivers gathered to talk about violence and intimidation on the bus lines.

Drivers on the bus lines between Emmen and Ter Apel have suffered from violence and intimidation since 2017. Asylum seekers from safe countries, who have little chance of a residence status, in particular cause problems. They refuse to pay and try to get on the bus by force.

However, the transport company believes that the FNV is taking action too quickly, because it is still conducting an investigation into the feeling of safety among drivers. According to the FNV trade union, the drivers understand that their action has led to inconvenience among travelers, but the staff are 'simply fed up with the nuisance on the lines' and that is why an action was taken. The drivers did the same two weeks ago. They then demonstratively skipped bus stops at Ter Apel.

zcan Akyol

Meanwhile, Özcan Akyol's column also focuses on the problem. According to him, Qbuzz drivers are not taken seriously. “Many asylum seekers from mainly safe countries, who therefore have nothing to do in the Netherlands, cause commotion and commit violence on the buses. For that reason, drivers and other passengers logically do not feel safe. I don't think this is a discussion about left and right, whether or not to be merciful to newcomers, this issue harms everyone and even the entire migration policy." Akyol does not want to be a part of provincial populism, but gradually the question arises whether this shortcoming would also last so long in Amsterdam or The Hague. 

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