Safe travel on public transport
Enhancing safety for passengers while travelling on public transport is a priority for the State Government. A number of initiatives have already been introduced and more are being developed.
Information on this page
Onboard safety
Various measures are being introduced on board trains and trams to make them even safer to use:
- installing duress buttons and Closed Circuit Televisions on all new and refurbished trains
- Melbourne's W-Class trams have been fitted with new braking systems to improve their safety
- Combino trams are fitted with internal cameras to help drivers monitor passengers boarding and alighting around door areas. The cameras will also monitor the passenger compartment.
Station upgrades
The State Government has a series of initiatives to improve safety at railway stations:
- the 2007-08 State Budget included $14 million to replace the existing analogue Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance equipment at metropolitan train stations with digital video recorders. The upgrade will improve image quality and provide for a minimum of 30 days storage of surveillance data. The upgrade is expected to be complete by 2009
- a $4 million upgrade to replace yellow lighting with bright white lighting at 57 stations in Melbourne
- improving security at entrances to underground City Loop stations
- various works to improve the accessibility of railway stations that will also make those stations safer for all users
Think Tram
Think Tram is a $30 million program to improve tram travel times, reliability and safety along the busiest parts of Melbourne's tram network. Among the program's objectives is to improve safety and accessibility at nominated stops through the introduction of low floor trams and tram stop upgrades.
For more information, visit the
Think Tram page on the VicRoads website.
Accessible tram stops
A series of platform tram stops are being installed throughout Melbourne to make the system more accessible to everyone, in particular, people with a disability and elderly people. These stops also improve safety. The stops provide a clear barrier between tram passengers and passing cars and offer a stepless entry and exit to and from trams.
See
Accessible tram stops for more information.
Safety staff
Trains - metropolitan
Customer service staff are employed at stations and on trains to ensure passenger safety. They check tickets, ensure passengers behave appropriately, and patrol trains, car parks and platforms.
Premium stations are staffed from the first train in the morning until the last train at night. Additional stations are staffed in the weekday morning peak and in the afternoon peak. Flexible deployment of Authorised Officers allows them to better target trouble hotspots on the network across all scheduled services, in partnership with Transit Police.
Trains - country
In addition to the staffed railway stations in country Victoria are staffed, V/Line also employs more than 120 conductors on trains to check and sell tickets as well as to assist and ensure the safety of passengers.
Trams
Customer service staff travel on trams and are present at tram stops to:
- provide information about tickets, timetables, connecting services and tourist attractions
- check tickets
- ensure passengers behave appropriately while using trams
- help people, particularly the elderly, parents with young children and people with special needs and disabilities, board and disembark.
Staff are deployed throughout the network covering trams from first to last service.
Transit Police
Transit Police from the Transit Safety Division patrol Melbourne's public transport system to ensure the safety and security of passengers using trains, trams and buses. Transit Safety Division members are often supported by other police who regularly travel on the system. For more information, see the
Transit Safety Division page of the Victoria Police website
Crime Stoppers
A
Crime Stoppers Public Transport program operates on rail lines in Melbourne. The program increases the opportunity for commuters to report crimes and suspicious behaviour to police.
See Something, Say Something campaign
The See Something, Say Something campaign encourages the community to report anything suspicious in and around railway stations, trains, trams and buses.
Suspicious activity should be reported as soon as possible to transport staff who are present either on board or at transport locations. Staff will then determine the need to report the matter to police. If necessary, phone
000 immediately. It is okay to call 000 to report suspicious activity.
The Victorian Government is also working with transport operators to improve staff awareness and training to help prevent emergencies and respond effectively. The Government is sponsoring a comprehensive training package with the major operators which will include training in identifying, reporting and responding to suspicious activity.
See also the
See Something, Say Something brochure (PDF 87 KB, 2 pp.).
Safe Travel Taskforce
The Safe Travel Taskforce advises the State Government on matters relating to public safety on the public transport network throughout Victoria.
The taskforce's responsibilities include:
- assessing statistics on crime and other incidents concerning customer and staff safety and security
- reviewing customer satisfaction and staff surveys relating to public safety issues
- exchanging information between the parties including the Victoria Police and public transport operators on specific incidents, trends, security programs, resources and coordination of safety and security initiatives
- monitoring reports from public transport operators on specific public safety and security initiatives including Government funded programs and activities for customer service and safety staff on the train, tram and bus systems
- planning and implementing initiatives to improve safety of people using and working on public transport.