8 Oct 2009: SEQ: Emergency contact help phone number for Citytrain needed

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 October 2009

SEQ:  Emergency contact help phone number for Citytrain needed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for a system to be put in place that will allow passengers on board QR Citytrains to discreetly contact police at the train control centre when they observe anti-social conduct or feel threatened when travelling.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"QR Citytrains have emergency assistance buttons.  One issue is that passengers on board who feel threatened, or observe anti-social behaviours feel that they are putting themselves at risk if they are seen activating the help system. If an emergency contact phone number was set up, and widely advertised in the trains it would allow passengers to seek assistance without drawing attention to themselves."

"Most passengers have mobile phones and it would be an additional layer of security for passengers."

"The fact that this number would be prominently displayed would also assist in discouraging anti-social behaviours and give passengers confidence that they can get assistance without drawing attention to themselves."

Reference:

1.  http://www.citytrain.com.au/about_your_trip/security_safety/trains_stations/trains_stations.asp

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ButFli]

Great idea for sure. Suncorp Stadium has implemented a similar policy where patrons can SMS to report anti-social behaviour so it can be dealt with.

[#Metro]

Something like 13 TRAIN?

[Fridge]

There is already an emergency number displayed at level crossings to report incidents at level crossings

[longboi]

That is a very good idea Bob.

I can't count the number of times I've had people say the same thing to me; They're scared of being seen using the intercom.

Then once the wireless network is introduced, the phone operator will be able to view any incident on board trains in real time.

[ozbob]

Thanks for the positive feedback.  I am hopeful that this might well be implemented.

From the Brisbane mX 8th October 2009 page 5

Calling for some rail help

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 12th October 2009 online Courier Mail click here!

New figures show inner-city stations are most violent

New figures show inner-city stations are most violent
Article from: MX

Torny Jensen of mX

October 12, 2009 02:21pm

BRISBANE'S inner-city train stations are hubs of violent crime, with the city's busiest stations recording most of the 224 violent assaults in the 12 months to March.

The assault figures for Central, Roma St and South Brisbane stations are contained in statistics obtained exclusively by mX through Right to Information laws.

They reveal that at Central Station, which deals with more than 70,000 passengers a day, a total of 16 assaults occurred including nine attacks that resulted in visible injuries.

Commuters using Central are also more likely to have their personal belongings stolen, with the station recording the highest number of pickpocketing and theft incidents of any station.

Central also recorded more public nuisance offences than any other station, with 33 out of a total 318 public nuisance offences taking place there.

There were 11 assaults at Roma St station, including two assaults on police, while at South Brisbane there were 10 assaults, including one that resulted in serious injury and two assaults on police.

Overall, police recorded three assaults that resulted in grievous bodily harm at South Brisbane station, Hemmant, on the Cleveland line, and Wacol, on the Ipswich line.

But violent crime isn't restricted to busy city transport hubs, with six assaults occurring at Ipswich and Toombul stations and five at Beenleigh and Helensvale stations.

Commuters travelling from the city's outlying suburbs, meanwhile, are most likely to have their vehicles raided by criminals.

Fifteen incidents of car break-ins were recorded at Robina, on the Gold Coast more than anywhere else while Ipswich line stations Ebbw Vale and Wacol recorded 14 and 12 respectively.

While stations and trains have emergency buttons that commuters can push to alert rail staff of incidents, rail advocacy group Rail Back on Track has called for the introduction of a contact number that can be used by passengers to SMS or call authorities directly.

Spokesman Robert Dow said people who feel their safety could be compromised if they push an alert button can use their mobile phones more discreetly.

The advocacy group has called for the number to be listed on posters on trains and in stations.

Queensland Police has a specific Rail Squad that targets train-related crime. Commuters are also encouraged to approach Queensland Rail or TransLink staff if they feel unsafe.

Assault figures:

Central - 16 assaults
Roma St - 11 assaults
South Brisbane - 10 assaults
Southbank - 8 assaults
Brunswick - 6 assaults
Ipswich - 6 assaults
Toombul - 6 assaults

mX is free at outlets in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th February 2012

SEQ:  Emergency contact help phone number for Citytrain needed  (re-release)

Greetings,

An old release, but the need is as acute as ever ...

QR Citytrains is now Queensland Rail.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Media Release 8 October 2009 re-released 14 February 2012

SEQ:  Emergency contact help phone number for Citytrain needed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for a system to be put in place that will allow passengers on board QR Citytrains to discreetly contact police at the train control centre when they observe anti-social conduct or feel threatened when travelling.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"QR Citytrains have emergency assistance buttons.  One issue is that passengers on board who feel threatened, or observe anti-social behaviours feel that they are putting themselves at risk if they are seen activating the help system. If an emergency contact phone number was set up, and widely advertised in the trains it would allow passengers to seek assistance without drawing attention to themselves."

"Most passengers have mobile phones and it would be an additional layer of security for passengers."

"The fact that this number would be prominently displayed would also assist in discouraging anti-social behaviours and give passengers confidence that they can get assistance without drawing attention to themselves."

Reference:

1.  http://www.citytrain.com.au/about_your_trip/security_safety/trains_stations/trains_stations.asp

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[achiruel]

I think a number passengers could text would be more helpful again, as they couldn't be overheard then.  I believe some sports stadiums have implemented this system.