No parent expects a bus ride home to end in fear.

A new Facebook group, HBC Bus Safety – Community Action Group, has been formed by local mum Lucy after she says her 16-year-old son was assaulted on a local bus travelling from Albany to the Hibiscus Coast on Tuesday, December 9.

According to Lucy’s post, her son was sitting upstairs with friends when a group of teenagers approached.

One girl accused him of “staring” and, without warning, punched him several times in the mouth, cheek, and throat.

His inner lip was cut and bleeding.

Another teenager stood in a blocking position beside the attacker, making it hard for anyone to step in.

A third teen held a phone and tried to film, or pressure him into making hand gestures.

Lucy says her son and his friends heard threats to “get him at the next stop” or “finish it”.

Lucy says several adult witnesses have since come forward, confirming the behaviour, the filming, the threats, and the assault.

When the bus arrived at the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station, she says her son and his friends ran straight to a security guard for help.

They were frightened, shaking, and unsure if the group would follow them.

Afterwards, Lucy says she posted online asking for witnesses and the response was overwhelming.

People replied with story after story of similar experiences, she says, with some involving violence and others involving intimidation.

The group, she says, is there to collect stories, support each other, identify patterns, and present clear evidence to Police, Auckland Transport, and local representatives.

Whatever your view, it’s clear this has left one Hibiscus Coast family shaken, and it has struck a nerve with others.

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