Transit System: Central Fraser Valley
CENTRAL FRASER VALLEY – A court sentence for the man who attacked a transit operator in Abbotsford last fall is welcome, both for the punishment/deterrent effect and for the message it represents.
Mario Cloutier was sentenced on April 27, 2016 to three months in jail for assaulting a BC Transit operator. Cloutier was also barred from riding any public bus in British Columbia – including TransLink services – for the next three years. He was already under a ban on bus riding at the time of the attack and received an additional month in jail for breaching that order.
The incident occurred on October 2, 2015 at approximately 3:45 p.m. The operator had noticed a man lying on the floor of the bus and carrying open liquor. The operator told him to leave the bus, but as he was doing so, Cloutier turned and punched the operator in the head three times.
One passenger stepped in to assist, but Cloutier broke free and left the bus. A Transit Supervisor came to the scene, checked on the operator, then followed Cloutier until local police arrived and arrested him.
BC Transit is encouraged to see the courts responding to the seriousness of assaults on transit operators.
One of BC Transit’s core values is safety, and transit operators are responsible for the safety and well-being of those both inside the bus and outside. Any assault risks serious injury not just to the operator but to those in and around the vehicle.
BC Transit is grateful to the passengers who assisted during this incident including their roles as witnesses to help the police charge and convict the suspect.
Media Contact
John Barry
BC Transit, Manager of Corporate and Online Communications
media@bctransit.com
250-995-5830
