The family of a man who was attacked and beheaded by a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus is suing the bus company and the federal government for failing to ensure his safety.

The family's lawyer, Jay Prober, says the lawsuit names Greyhound, the Attorney General of Canada and the man accused of killing Tim McLean.

He said the statement of claim alleges that neither the bus line nor federal agencies responsible for transportation and public safety took the proper precautions.

The lawsuit is on behalf of 13 family members and is for $150,000.

"This lawsuit is not about money," Prober said at an afternoon news conference in Winnipeg. "It is about accountability -- about responsibility for what happened to (McLean)."

Prober said the family wants more security put in place for bus passengers. They also want to know why the RCMP did not storm the bus to prevent the alleged acts of mutilation to the 22-year-old's body.

"Hopefully what will come of it is that Greyhound will be held accountable, that they will put proper security measures in place, and the Government of Canada will see that the proper security measures are in place and enforced, just like they do at the airports," Prober said.

"It's people who often can't afford to take a plane, who can't afford to take the train, who can't afford to buy a car and pay for the gas, that take a bus," he added. "Why should they be discriminated against?"

McLean was killed the night of July 30 while taking a Greyhound bus from Edmonton to Winnipeg.

He was stabbed and beheaded by another bus passenger near Portage la Prairie.

Vincent Weiguang-Li, 40, has been charged with murder and is undergoing a court-order mental health assessment to determine if he's fit to stand trial.

He is next due in court on Sept. 8.

None of the allegations has been proven in court and a statement of defence hasn't yet been filed.

With files from The Canadian Press