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The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) and Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) say it’s time for Government bodies to take the personal safety of public transport passengers and staff seriously.
They’re calling for an investigation into introducing a specialist Transport Police force in New Zealand that would have the powers and privileges of constables, but on the public transport network, including trains, buses and ferries.
CBT convener Jodi Johnston says: “Unfortunate incidents involving four rail passengers being physically assaulted by a group of 30 teenagers on a train near Morningside, bus passengers being physically assaulted on a west Auckland bus, brawls occurring in some interchanges in Auckland, and the murder of Sefo Leger in December, have raised legitimate concerns among public transport users they’re taking their life in their hands when they board a bus or train.
“That puts into jeopardy any return from the billions that have been invested in New Zealand’s public transport”.
PTUA chair Niall Robertson agrees with that assessment and says introducing a specialist Transport Police force would act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, and where incidents such as that in Morningside occur, they would have the teeth to be able to intervene.
In turn, that would ensure public transport users would feel safe when taking the bus and train – particularly late at night.
Transport Police are used all around the world successfully, including in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Sweden and Switzerland.
Robertson says: “It’s important to remember that 30 per cent of the population rely on public transport and these include some of our more vulnerable people, including the elderly, the young and people with a disability.”
Robertson says society has a duty to make these and all people feel safe on public transport to foster better and safer connectivity for everyone and to attract more people onto public transport.
