A bus drivers' union organiser says violence on Auckland's public transport system has reached a "crisis point" as driver shields are mandated on new buses in the city.

Auckland Transport says there has been a "big increase" in the last several weeks despite incidents "trending down" over the past year.

Security has been ratcheted up at public transport stations amid a series of attacks on young people on buses and at interchanges in New Lynn, Henderson and Albany. There has also been a rising number of reported assaults on drivers in the past several years.

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