Brisbane’s bus fleet will have $1.3 million worth of protective barriers installed on all 1200 buses to protect bus drivers from physical assault, spitting, and verbal disagreements with passengers.

In 2017-2018 there were 12 physical assaults on bus drivers, down from 17 the year before, while drivers were also spat on, spat at, had drink bottles thrown at them, and were verbally abused by passengers.

Brisbane's bus drivers have shared their feedback on three different safety barriers installed to protect them from assault and abuse. Credit:Alamy Stock Photo

At the public and active transport committee on Tuesday morning, chairman Adrian Schrinner said the council had been trialling three different safety barriers over the past nine months.

Cr Schrinner said the council was “doing everything possible” to select the right design to protect drivers.