- The four suspects arrested in connection with the investigation were charged, including two for attempted homicide, and placed in detention.
- His colleagues describe a man "smiling, friendly", and who "had principles, such as politeness. "
- A white march is organized at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday, while urban transport throughout France should stop for a minute at the same time, to pay tribute to him.
"Nice", "smiling", "friendly" ... Philippe Monguillot, the 59-year-old bus driver who was beaten up Sunday night in Bayonne, is unanimously approved by his colleagues. “He was a very serious boy at work, very kind, impeccable. He was practically a brother, we lost a brother ”, testifies Denis Lambert, now retired, and who worked for Philippe for thirty years on the Chronoplus network.
While Philippe Monguillot is in a state of brain death, his relatives no longer have any illusions about the outcome that awaits him. "It is not my father who breathes, it is the machine. We know it's over, ” one of her three daughters, Marie, 18 , told Sud Ouest newspaper .
The four suspects indicted
Tuesday evening, the public prosecutor of Bayonne, Marc Mariée, reconstituted the course of the evening of Sunday. Around 7:15 p.m., at the Bayonne train station stop, “three individuals, including one with a dog, took their places in Tram'Bus 810 in the direction of Biarritz. Up to the Balichon stop, they were joined by a fourth individual. The driver would have gone to the latter to check his ticket. It was on this occasion that he asked the four people to put their masks on their faces. He was then allegedly subjected to insults and a stampede. He was pushed outside the vehicle. Two of the four individuals then severely kicked and punched him in the upper body, particularly at head level, causing him serious injuries. The victim was left unconscious on the sidewalk.
Contacted Wednesday morning by 20 Minutes , the prosecutor indicates that the four suspects have been charged, including two for "attempted homicide", and placed in detention.
Philippe Monguillot was due to retire in less than a year
Originally from the northern districts of Bayonne, a great sportsman, Philippe Monguillot has worked for thirty-two years as a driver for the Chronoplus transport network, which serves the agglomeration of Bayonne, Anglet and Biarritz, the “BAB. He was due to retire in less than a year.
"Each year, he organized a meal with the employees, there were 200 of us, he called everyone," says Jean-Pierre Martin, another retired bus driver, who also rubbed shoulders with Philippe Monguillot during thirty years. He was a really nice guy, we don't realize yet. "
"He was someone who had convictions, rules in life, especially politeness," continues Denis Lambert, and that evening, he wanted to make them respected. He was not afraid, he was strong. "The pensioner also remembers" that Philippe was often seen on TV at one time, because there were construction problems in the wooden houses of the neighborhood where he lived, and he had been delegated for the subdivision , to denounce poor workmanship. He liked the right things. "
"We were quiet and privileged but we feel more and more aggressiveness"
Bus drivers, who have been exercising their right of withdrawal since Monday morning, unanimously denounce the growing insecurity within the Chronoplus network. "There had already been an assault last week, during the night in Biarritz," points out Laurent Weber, the CGT union representative.
“In our region, we were quiet and privileged. It is a small village, at home. But for 6-7 months, we have felt more aggressiveness in people, ”continues the unionist.
Others denounce a climate that has been deteriorating for a longer time already. "I almost got stabbed five years ago," recalls Denis Lambert. I put this guy off the bus because he was smoking inside, he insisted and he came back up, I ended up going down and that's when he took out the knife and he wanted to stab me. I dodged. What happened with Philippe is not an isolated act, it does happen, but generally we manage to settle this directly with the client, and it does not get around. "
Tram'Bus, a thorn in the side for safety?
Jean-Pierre Martin explains for his part that “the transport network with us operates at two speeds. There is winter speed, with the locals, and summer speed, and it is no longer the same clientele. There are small bands that come from everywhere, and it becomes more dangerous. I often let myself pee so as not to have any problems… ”
“I have been a driver for 18 years, I notice like everyone that the incivility is increasing, confirms a bus driver, Jean-Philippe Gauthier. And then, since the arrival of the Tram'bus, it is no longer the same profession. Put into service in September 2019, these 18-meter long, ultra-modern buses are supposed to combine the advantages of the tram, on a bus route between Biarritz and Bayonne.
“The problem is that before, customers went up from the front, says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, with these tram'buses they go up through the four back doors. This process would facilitate fraud. “This is why I would be in favor of a real separation of the driver from the passengers: since there is no longer any contact with customers, and no more sales are made. tickets, as much as in a real tram. Here, we wanted to make a big transport network, but with the means of a small network. "
"People are afraid to go to work, they have a lump in their stomachs"
Visiting the Keolis bus depot, the network operator, on Tuesday evening, the Minister for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari explained, however, that all the employees were not necessarily on the same wavelength, some still wanting favor contact with customers.
"The agglomeration wanted to set up these tram'bus very quickly, but it did not put the security means which go with it", denounces for his part Laurent Weber. Two mobile security agents should quickly come in to help crisscross the network morning and evening. A progress still insufficient according to the CGT, which awaits new proposals.
In the meantime, the drivers do not yet intend to return to work. This Wednesday, they begin their third day of right of withdrawal, and will participate at 7:30 p.m. in a white march for Philippe. "People are afraid to go to work, they have a lump in their stomachs, and some will stop," warns Laurent Weber.
We are supporting the family of the driver of the @Chronoplus_Info network, who is in critical condition following the violent assault he suffered during his service. Our thoughts also go out to all of the Keolis Côte Basque-Adour employees.
- Keolis Bx Metro (@KeolisBxMetro) July 7, 2020At the same time, all urban transport in France should stop for a minute at 7:30 p.m., in memory of the driver from Bayonne.
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- Aquitaine
- Pays Basque
- Bayonne
- Aggression
- Public transport
- Society
- Violence