Pollionnay, January 15 – A public transport bus (TCL) operating on line 247 was hit by a projectile suspected to be from a pellet gun on Wednesday, January 14, around 5:30 PM, in the commune of Pollionnay, west of Lyon. The incident, which occurred while the bus had one passenger on board, has resulted in the complete suspension of the line.
Pellet Found After Initial Firearm Suspicions
Initially, authorities suspected a firearm attack. However, subsequent investigations by the gendarmerie revealed that the projectile was a lead pellet. The pellet reportedly pierced one of the bus windows. Fortunately, neither the driver nor the sole passenger sustained any injuries.
An investigation has been launched by law enforcement to determine whether the shot was intentional or a stray bullet. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under review.
Line 247 Suspended, Drivers Exercise Right of Withdrawal
As a direct consequence of the incident, line 247, which connects Gorge de Loup (Lyon) to Parc Lacroix Laval (Marcy l’Etoile), has been completely halted since Thursday, January 15. TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) officials confirmed on Thursday, January 15, at 3:31 PM, that the drivers of line 247, still in shock, exercised their right of withdrawal. TCL is providing support to all affected agents.
There is a possibility that service on line 247 may resume on Friday, January 16, depending on traffic information and further developments. Commuters are advised to check TCL updates for the latest information regarding service resumption.
Previous Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns
This incident follows other recent safety concerns on Lyon’s public transport network. Earlier, an individual reportedly threatened a TCL bus driver with scissors in Lyon, with heroic passengers intervening. Such events underscore the growing challenges faced by public transport operators and personnel in ensuring safety for both staff and passengers.
The authorities are committed to thoroughly investigating this incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to ensure the security of public transportation in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/pollionnay_69154/pres-de-lyon-un-bus-tcl-touche-par-un-tir-d-arme-la-ligne-completement-coupee_63701743.html
