unmanned stations

[skepsis]

The recent nighttime  bashing at Mitchelton station will do nothing to increase confidence that public transport use is safe after dark. The victim was doing everything right, even cycled to the station, as reported in a local newspaper.

Removing the old stationmasters housing has added to the lonely unprotected ambience of the area (regardless of increased cameras). Saving money one way is counterproductive if the public who provide the fare revenue become too frightened to use the service. Live caretaker/watchmen could have been installed in these houses..Removing the suburban police stations adds to this feeling of isolation in the community, aiding  the criminal or vandal.

Someone who used the train service for an evening college course told me that he and the few others on a sth. side platform at 9.30pm all  looked decidedly nervous and distrustful of each others company. Very few women would now want to wait around these unmanned station after dark; which was not the case in times past, even before mobile phones.

I feel the 'experts' are far too narrowly focussed in their cost cutting decisions..

[ozbob]

Yes well stated Skepsis.

I just looked at the new suburban timetables and was again reminded of the dismal security in terms of the need to have 'guardian' services.  This is almost tantamount to throwing up the white flag.   Guardian services are one thing, but once passengers leave the train where is the security then?

Stations were manned (personed? LOL) all the time once.  There was a railway employee at Mitchelton on duty during the recent attack but not sure why it was not picked up by the employee.

There is also the issue of leniant penalties etc.

Regards
Ozbob

[richard]

It is a real shame that people do not feel safe on trains, stations and other places at night.  I wish I knew what the answer was.  I would guess that staffing stations would do little more than expose another person (with access to money and valuables) to violence.  A station master (what are they called now?) would be a target, not a deterrent.  Violence at stations is a symptom - violence in society is the problem.  We need bandaids at stations, but what they are I have no idea.  Perhaps guardian stations - where people travelling late at night are met by security guards and escorted to their car?

Richard