BOMBELA Consortium, the operators of the country's only high-speed train - Gautrain - are pinning their hopes on government and police to end violent incidents directed at their service.

This follows the shooting of a bus driver in Centurion, Pretoria, yesterday. A Gautrain bus driver, who has not been identified, was shot at about 8am while taking the bus for a trial run.

He was taken to hospital.

Bombela spokeswoman Kelebogile Machaka said yesterday that the operators had done all in their powers to ensure the safety of customers and staff, but has failed. "We are now dependant on Gauteng government and police to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book. We have upped security to ensure the safety of the drivers and staff, but incidents continue to happen."

Yesterday's attack followed other similar incidents that have occurred after the expulsion of 318 bus drivers who had embarked on an illegal strike in January.

Another bus was shot at in Midrand on February 24. No one was injured.