The RGTR bus line between Luxembourg and Villerupt, long regarded as a “problem line,” has once again come under scrutiny. On Thursday, the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) raised concerns over driver safety, calling for enhanced protection measures following reports of persistent violence and harassment.
In a strongly worded press release, the LCGB highlighted the “unacceptable” conditions faced by drivers, citing testimonies of a “climate of fear, stress, and insecurity.” The union pointed to numerous incidents of verbal and physical assaults, some of which have required medical attention, as evidence of a “critical situation that has persisted for too long.” The LCGB emphasised that it is “intolerable” for workers, including women, to face such risks while performing their duties.
The union, which represents the majority of workers in the transport sector, expressed its “deep unease” and “indignation” over a recent attack on a bus driver operating the Luxembourg-Villerupt route. It described an “unacceptable climate of fear and insecurity” and urged all companies in the sector to implement “immediate and concrete measures” to protect employees from all forms of violence, whether physical or verbal.
During a public transport safety steering committee meeting in November 2021, the union secured funding from the Ministry of Mobility to install secure cabins for drivers. While 43% of the RGTR fleet is now equipped with these protective barriers, the LCGB argues that progress is insufficient. It is calling for an “immediate acceleration” in deploying the equipment, prioritising high-risk routes such as those serving Villerupt, Longwy, and Mont-Saint-Martin.
In addition to structural measures, the union is appealing to passengers to show greater respect and solidarity toward bus drivers, who provide an essential public service.
