A passenger was arrested on Wednesday evening after allegedly threatening the driver and pulling out a gun on an Athens bus, causing panic among those on board.

The incident took place on Line 442, which runs between Nikaia and Perama, according to initial reports.

It reportedly began when the passenger pressed the stop button, but the bus continued past the stop because the signal had not appeared on the driver’s dashboard. It was not immediately clear whether the button had not been pressed properly or had not been held down long enough.

The passenger then allegedly became aggressive, threatened the driver and took out a gun inside the vehicle, alarming passengers.

The driver remained calm, alerted the authorities and the passenger was subsequently arrested.

Leonidas Skoulos, a board member of the OASA workers’ union, discussed the incident during an appearance on Action24, saying it underlined the need for stronger safety measures on public transport.

“It was dangerous. Fear alone can make you lose control of the bus. Fortunately, the driver reacted calmly,” he said, renewing the union’s long-standing call for protective cabins to be installed around drivers’ seats.

Transport workers have repeatedly raised concerns about violent incidents on buses, arguing that protective cabins would help shield drivers during confrontations with passengers.