27 Aug 2009: SEQ: Our trains, our buses!

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 August 2009

SEQ: Our trains, our buses!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a concerted effort to combat vandalism on our public transport. RAIL Back On Track members and public feedback have reported many instances of vandalised trains.  This is a constant problem for the operator and is disheartening for all to continue to have to cope with these wanton acts of destruction.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is heart breaking to travel on our public transport and see scratched windows, damaged seats, and graffiti masquerading as art on rolling stock and line side structures. The community has become detached and desensitised to many of these effects.  The costs of the vandalism to transport operators must be considerable.  Public transport staff are frustrated and often feel not appreciated, and this in turn affects the morale of everyone."

"We continue to see more attempts at enforcement and regulation which is necessary but that is surely not the only answer.  How about we try a stepped up preventative approach?  Educate the community, bring people on board, encourage respect for property and person. Set up local volunteer groups that can keep stations clean for example.  I am sure there are people who would be happy to be part of a local group that helps make public transport facilities attractive.  These things used to be done once, but we became too focused on fares, enforcement and rationalisation."

"Public transport belongs to the people. This point is seldom reinforced but it is a good start point.  Our transport, our City!  Let's look after it!  Bring back weekend family/group tickets for our public transport.  This can work as a valuable education tool as it encourages adults and children to get out on their public transport and shows them what a valuable asset it is. It will help endear respect.  Step up the ongoing promotion of public transport in the schools, encourage students to look after their trains and buses."

"Engage the wider community.  Focus on the broader positive social aspects of public transport, make public transport first choice, not last choice!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 27th August 2009 page 2

Graffiti 'out of control'

[ozbob]

Sadly, I have noticed a lot more graffiti on trains and along rail corridors lately.   Consideration should be given to a make over of the trains.  The art work at stations is proving resilient, why not the units? Scratched windows are endemic ...  is there a vandal resistant system developed yet? 

[ozbob]

Media Release 5 June 2010

SEQ: Painted trains

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said it might be time to consider a new livery for our Citytrains.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track members have noticed what seems to be increasing graffiti attacks on Citytrain rolling-stock.  This wanton vandalism is costly. One defence mechanism might be to brighten up the trains in a manner done for the buses.  Some rolling stock could be themed. For example Queensland Week would have been a great opportunity to deck some trains out in Queensland themes."

"Below is a photograph of a Metro Train in Melbourne.  The livery is bright and enhances the appeal of public transport."

"With the change over to Queensland Rail, the time is right for some innovation which in turn may lessen the impact of vandalism."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org



Photograph R Dow 8th January 2010

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Train network offenders snared by video and 'wanted' posters

Train network offenders snared by video and 'wanted' posters
CHRIS VEDELAGO
June 6, 2010

VICTORIAN police have used a combination of high-tech video footage and old-school ''wanted'' posters to identify 132 people suspected of committing assaults, robberies and property crimes on the city's train network.

Many of the suspects have turned themselves in or been dobbed in by commuters or even family members after their photos were prominently displayed at busy train stations near where the crimes were committed. Their photos had been captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Police say 84 of the 98 alleged crimes described in the posters have been ''resolved'' since July 2009 - a success rate of 86 per cent - including six robberies and two indecent assaults.

The program, run in conjunction with Crime Stoppers, has involved posters being put up in lockable steel and Perspex cases in 40 manned train stations around the city.

Inspector Philip Green of the Victoria Police transit safety division said offenders were often quickly identified through the posters, with many ''shamed'' into turning themselves in by friends and family members who had seen the images.

On the Hurstbridge line, several youths were charged with criminal damage offences following a confession by one of the offenders after he, his sister and their mother separately noticed one of the posters and contacted authorities. An offender on the Craigieburn line was identified as his poster was being put up.

On Thursday, a 16-year-old girl wanted for attempted robbery and assault committed on the Frankston line in late April surrendered to police after learning her photo was on a poster. She has since made a statement against her co-accused.

''No one wants an unsafe public transport system and commuters are intolerant of people who commit crimes or damage the system. They've been taking ownership of it and we've been seeing the result,'' Inspector Green said.

The effectiveness of the program, which has been in limited operation since 2004, was boosted after the train network's ageing CCTV system received a $8.6 million upgrade to digital video over the past year. There are about 3000 cameras covering train carriages, platforms, station waiting areas and car parks.

''If you commit a crime, we will get footage of you to put up,'' Inspector Green said.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th June 2010

Greetings,

Problematic behaviour on our public transport is an issue that requires a whole of community approach.

The Courier Mail today has highlighted the effects of criminal acts on rail staff (Sacked QR guard says passenger violence harming staff health).  As a commuter group, we have consistently suggested that there are approaches to work towards community education and changes in unacceptable attitudes and behaviours (27 Aug 2009: SEQ: Our trains, our buses!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2653.0 ).  It is interesting to consider Melbourne.  They did away with staff on railway stations as part of the failed privatisation and franchise approach, and set up a climate of lawlessness on the their rail system as a consequence.  Now, they are putting staff back on the stations and in effect reclaiming lost ground at a great cost.  We do not need this failed social experiment repeated in Brisbane do we?

Recent highlights of problems of out of control behaviour on buses suggest that there is a need to address behaviour on public transport urgently.

QR Passenger have placed security guards on Friday and Saturday night services, and has a coordinated approach to safety generally ( http://www.citytrain.com.au/about_your_trip/security_safety/overview.asp ).  There are additional safety features help promote safe travel.

We do not want the situation to deteriorate though to the point that security guards are needed in every carriage, bus and ferry do we?

This is why we think a special task force of key stakeholders needs to be formed to address this issue.

Solutions will be multi-layered and considered.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

=================

Media Release 27 August 2009 re-released 26th June 2010

SEQ: Our trains, our buses!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a concerted effort to combat vandalism on our public transport. RAIL Back On Track members and public feedback have reported many instances of vandalised trains.  This is a constant problem for the operator and is disheartening for all to continue to have to cope with these wanton acts of destruction.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is heart breaking to travel on our public transport and see scratched windows, damaged seats, and graffiti masquerading as art on rolling stock and line side structures. The community has become detached and desensitised to many of these effects.  The costs of the vandalism to transport operators must be considerable.  Public transport staff are frustrated and often feel not appreciated, and this in turn affects the morale of everyone."

"We continue to see more attempts at enforcement and regulation which is necessary but that is surely not the only answer.  How about we try a stepped up preventative approach?  Educate the community, bring people on board, encourage respect for property and person. Set up local volunteer groups that can keep stations clean for example.  I am sure there are people who would be happy to be part of a local group that helps make public transport facilities attractive.  These things used to be done once, but we became too focused on fares, enforcement and rationalisation."

"Public transport belongs to the people. This point is seldom reinforced but it is a good start point.  Our transport, our City!  Let's look after it!  Bring back weekend family/group tickets for our public transport.  This can work as a valuable education tool as it encourages adults and children to get out on their public transport and shows them what a valuable asset it is. It will help endear respect.  Step up the ongoing promotion of public transport in the schools, encourage students to look after their trains and buses."

"Engage the wider community.  Focus on the broader positive social aspects of public transport, make public transport first choice, not last choice!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]