Kaunas Trolleybus Incident: “Kauno Švara” Employee Threatens Passengers, Driver Faces Scrutiny
A disturbing incident unfolded on a Kaunas public transport route on February 3rd, as a man, identified as an employee of “Kauno Švara,” allegedly engaged in threatening and erratic behavior towards fellow passengers.
Witnesses described the man’s behavior as unpredictable and aggressive.
According to accounts, the individual was visibly agitated, seemingly talking on the phone to no one, and speaking incoherently about religious themes, including Jesus Christ and crucifixion, while using profanity.”He was screaming and threatening to shoot everyone on the trolleybus,” one witness recounted to “Kas vyksta Kaune.” “He called himself Christ, spat, and yelled. He said, ‘If I had a gun, I would shoot everyone here.’ He harassed an elderly woman, saying he couldn’t shoot her but had gas and ‘you will all rot.’ He threatened to strangle her, getting closer to her.”
Another passenger stated the man continued his disruptive behavior for several stops before disembarking.
Following inquiries from “Kas vyksta Kaune,” UAB “Kauno Švara” confirmed the individual in the video is their employee, but was not on duty at the time of the incident. A company representative condemned the behavior and announced an internal inquiry.
“The person visible in the video wearing UAB ‘Kauno Švara’ work clothes, we emphasize that the recorded behavior occurred outside of working hours and is not related to our company’s activities or the employee’s direct responsibilities,” the representative stated. “The company cannot control the personal behavior of employees during their free time, but we want to clearly emphasize that the recorded behavior does not meet our company’s values, internal rules, and professional ethics standards. Our employees are strictly prohibited from behaving in a manner that could be understood as inappropriate, offensive, or disturbing to others in public places while wearing company attire. We are currently conducting an internal situation assessment and appropriate measures will be taken to prevent similar situations in the future.”
The company reiterated that work uniforms are to be used solely during work hours and for their intended purpose, and apologized for any inconvenience or negative emotions caused by the incident.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the trolleybus driver’s response to the situation. Passengers claim the driver took no action to ensure the safety and peace of mind of those on board.
“Another passenger asked why she wasn’t calling the police,and the driver replied that the man wasn’t bothering her,so ‘you call the police,why should I do everything?'” a passenger told “kas vyksta Kaune.” Another witness corroborated this account, stating the driver “didn’t react, didn’t call the police, and continued driving calmly. When the intoxicated person got off, a girl approached the driver and asked her to explain her behavior. the answer was: ‘I didn’t hear or see anything.'”
The incident has prompted questions about the appropriate course of action for passengers in similar situations and whether public transport drivers have a responsibility to ensure passenger safety.
UAB “Kauno Autobusai” weighed in on the matter, stating that drivers have the authority to call the police. A company specialist explained that in such situations, it’s crucial to assess the specific circumstances and potential threat.
“If public transport passengers notice a person behaving inappropriately and ther is a threat to the safety of other passengers, property, or public order, they should inform the driver if he has not already noticed the situation,” the specialist said. “The driver has the right to remove such a person or call the police. in all cases,decisions must be made responsibly,taking into account the real situation and the applicable rules for the carriage of passengers and baggage by road.”
