Increased security on public transport applauded by local member

Nathan Barrett, Member for Blain
 
Peter Styles
Minister for Transport

Local member for Blain Nathan Barrett today congratulated the Giles Government on the strong and decisive actions engaged on the Darwin Bus network.

“I am very pleased new measures have been put in place across the public bus service which have taken effect immediately,” said Barrett.

“The bus interchanges have been a hot spot for anti-social behaviour and the introduction of security guards at Palmerston is a welcome move by the Government from the public.

“Students use public buses and the interchanges to transit between school and home and it is very important for them to feel safe. It is great to see so many changes taking effect immediately.”

The introduction of permanent security guards at Palmerston, City and Casuarina has taken place and Minister for Transport Peter Styles, said it has made a positive impact to public already.

"Feedback from the public is really positive. Security guards were approached on the weekend by members of the public saying they feel safer and were glad security was present,” said Minister Styles.

"Having security guards at Palmerston has already impacted the public. Transit officers  tell me they are able to patrol the remainder of the network freely with security guards present more often.

“The added security guards, CCTV upgrades, new ticketing system and GPS tracking systems are evidence of the Giles Governments commitment to the safety of the community and our public servants.”

“The Giles Government is very interested in feedback from the public, which is why we will be introducing a pubic feedback survey very soon.

“I encourage those who use the transport system to actively become involved as ensuring safety on the bus network will require the community and the Government to work together.”

Some of the changes taking place have already commenced and include the following:

• CCTV upgrades installed and operational at all interchanges, Police have the capacity to monitor images in real time..
• Permanent security officers at Casuarina, City and Palmerston interchanges.
• Training in cultural difference and handling difficult people and situations to enable drivers to ‘talk situations down.
• Limit Wi-Fi accessibility to 10 minutes at interchanges to discourage people unnecessarily congregating at interchanges.
• Implement roster for Transit Officers to change, to provide additional coverage at times where more serious incidents occur.
• Employ two additional Transit Officers and provide all Transit Officers with electronic tools to prepare reports associated with incidents and arrests whilst in their vehicle rather than having to go to the office.
• Develop a Working Group with police and other stakeholders including Larrakia Night Patrols.
• Work with Territory Transit to prepare a Behaviour Management Plan to guide workers in the management of aggression and violence in the workplace.
• Transit Officers will develop Standard Operating Procedures and deliver driver training on radio calls.

The Department of Transport has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment of security on the public transport network and the Government is taking action to ensure the safety of Territorians on the bus network gets the priority it deserves.

A full list of the recommendations is attached with an outlined timeline for roll out on the public safety system.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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