The Herald shares people’s experiences on public transport after a reader poll.
The stabbing death of an Auckland bus passenger has led hundreds of Herald readers to share experiences on public transport, including “aggressive” people high on drugs, children being attacked and drivers powerless to intervene.
It comes after “gentle giant” Sefo Leger died on Monday when another passenger on a bus from Glen Innes to Ōrākei pulled out a knife and “initiated an attack on him”, police said.
Leger managed to get off the bus but died in hospital from his injuries. The suspected attacker stayed on the bus and allegedly attacked another man, who needed surgery on his hand.
Violence on Auckland’s public transport is statistically rare, with officials saying 1.7 million journeys took place last week without incident across the city’s network.
But while the majority of trips pass without incident, more than 200 people wrote to the Herald about safety and about 60% said Leger’s death had changed how they use buses and trains.
Another roughly 20% said they wanted to change or avoid using public transport but didn’t have alternate transport options.
A final 20% said they wouldn’t be changing their behaviour as they felt safe.
One reader, who didn’t wish to be named, said their son was “violently attacked” at a Silverdale bus station in an unprovoked assault.
“We were incredibly lucky that a security guard stepped in while my son was on the ground being kicked in the head. I would love to thank him personally,” the person said.
“My son had broken teeth and a large knock to the head, an absolutely traumatic experience, which was filmed for social media.”
Alofa A from Glen Innes said Leger’s death hit him hard because “Sefo was a local friend”.
“I will miss your big friendly smiles and your humble laughs. Ofa lahi atu my bro xx,” he wrote.
He said Leger left behind a teenage son, “just before Christmas, that’s tragic”.
Nearly half – 46% – of poll respondents cited fighting, violence, threats and aggression as their major safety concerns.
Fare evasions were a recurring theme in about one-third of responses along with “powerless” bus drivers, who were unable or unwilling to intervene.
Drugs and alcohol were mentioned in 31% of responses, including reports of hard drugs, cannabis, vaping and alcohol being consumed on board.
There were calls for more security and Māori Wardens from about 23% of respondents.
Wider society’s struggles with mental health were also a feature in the comments.
About 21% of respondents cited this as contributing to dangerous and anti-social behaviour.
Alofa A, who knew Leger, said the recent public transport violence needed to be viewed more broadly.
He said “mental health matters” and the Ministry of Health needed to step up and help.
“It’s not the buses causing danger,” he said.
This week’s fatal attack followed earlier Herald reports that assaults on bus drivers had risen from 34 in 2021, to 90 in 2022 and then down to 56 last year and 29 through the first half of 2025.
In response, Auckland Transport’s Stacey van der Putten announced in August that her team had begun trialling live CCTV cameras on 70 buses.
By pressing a duress button, bus drivers with live CCTV fitted could alert a system operator to watch and call for help in the event of assaults or abusive behaviour.
Van der Putten said the technology was part of a wider action plan, which also included installing glass screens for drivers, but it wasn’t yet perfect.
With 13,500 bus services operating daily, not every event could be captured on video or addressed by transport police teams who were riding the network.
Many readers also reported positive experiences riding buses and trains.
“I have been taking public transport for the better part of 20 years and have never once felt unsafe,” Rachel B from Kingsland said.
“I feel safe, can’t live in fear,” Keshav C from Mt Wellington said.
Judy K from Morningside said she took public transport but had already changed her habits: “I only travel or go out during daylight hours.”
A number of those writing in believed drivers needed more help.
Imogen S from Grey Lynn, who described herself as a young female commuter, said she had a “terrifying” five minutes travelling along K Rd after a man sat next to her despite there being empty seats.
He alternated between screaming at her and “laughing uncontrollably” an “inch from my face”.
“I was the youngest and smallest physically, being one of the only females,” she said.
“No one said anything, no one cared I was being targeted.”
When she went to get off “he tried to block my exit”, she said.
Lisa H from Pukekohe said she does shift work in Ōtāhuhu and travels at night, but she often doesn’t feel safe and noted not all parts of the network are well-lit.
She spoke of boarding the bus on a trip and instantly smelling a passenger smoking cannabis, but said “bus drivers are powerless to stop these people getting on”.
Emily B from Bucklands Beach said she took a Panmure to Highland Park bus in 2023 when a man in the row behind “kept stroking my shoulder”.
When she got off “he proceeded to wave at me through the window”.
An anonymous Massey commuter said she witnessed multiple incidents and was often on “high alert”.
“I wish I didn’t need to rely on public transport but with petrol prices and traffic I have no choice.”
Police said the series of “unprovoked” attacks on Leger and another victim began Monday night on Auckland Transport’s number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes to Ōrākei.
The 36-year-old accused boarded the bus at 7.53pm on Apirana Ave.
Leger boarded three minutes later at 7.56pm.
He travelled a short distance before moving to get off the bus at 7.58pm.
“The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch St in Glen Innes,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said.
Leger managed to get off the bus outside the Fenchurch shops.
Video footage showed him walking and clutching his chest before sitting on nearby pallets.
A woman rushed to his aid and to rally help, while a man brought towels to try to stem the blood.
Paramedics took him to hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Baldwin said the bus driver had not been aware of how serious the first attack was and kept driving.
The second victim boarded the bus at 8.09pm.
Baldwin said the second “unprovoked assault” began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.
“The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.”
A 51-year-old man suffered serious injuries but managed to escape after a “short confrontation”.
He fled the bus along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Ave and Kepa Rd.
The alleged offender also left the bus at this time and fled on foot, police said.
The second victim had surgery on his hand on Tuesday and remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 36-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday and appeared in Auckland District Court on Wednesday charged with murder and wounding with intent.