Victorian bus drivers remember slain Queensland colleague

Bus drivers in Victoria are wearing black armbands in solidarity with their Queensland counterparts following the killing of Brisbane driver Manmeet Alisher.

CDC Victoria, which operates 440 buses around the state, says its drivers are wearing black armbands on Wednesday to pay their respects to Mr Alisher, also known as Manmeet Sharma, who was killed when set alight five days ago.

Drivers in Victoria will also turn their headlights on as an additional mark of respect.

"We may have drivers and staff from over 70 countries but today we stand as one with black arm bands as a symbol of our unity," the company posted on Instagram.

Victoria's Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says all drivers need to be better protected.

"People who work on our public transport system get out of bed every day to provide a public service and they deserve the right to a safe and respectful workplace," she told reporters in Melbourne.

"We've been talking to the union here in Victoria for some time now about how we can improve the safe workplace of bus drivers."

Anthony O'Donohue, 48, has been charged with murder after he allegedly threw an incendiary device at Mr Alisher.