71 public transport bus drivers reported that they had been assaulted, insulted, threatened and even physically attacked in 2017, Parliament was told this evening.

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Toni Bezzina, Transport Minister Ian Borg said during the same year, 13 passengers had reported being assaulted, insulted or threatened by bus drivers.

The numbers in both categories are up from previous years.

In 2015, 50 bus drivers reported being assaulted, insulted or threatened. The number for the following year was 53.

11 passengers said they were assaulted or threatened in 2015, while 9 people made similar reports the following year.