Question details
Eastern Victoria Region
(1662) My question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport. I was contacted by a distressed resident who regularly travels on Latrobe Valley Bus Lines, Public Transport Victoria. They raised some serious issues, which are ongoing there, of anti-social behaviour, allegedly involving weapons, physical and verbal assaults, drug and alcohol use in addition to fare refusal. Sadly the Latrobe Valley has a very high crime rate, and elderly passengers are frightened by these unacceptable behaviours that appear to have been rapidly deteriorating in the past two years – unruly teens acting with impunity. The bus company is doing all it can to protect its own staff and the passengers, and our under-resourced police are often unable to respond in a timely manner. Safe Transport Victoria has the responsible nature to actually protect the bus drivers and passengers. I ask the minister: what will you do, working with Latrobe Valley Bus Lines, to provide extra security measures at interchanges to make sure people and bus company staff arrive at their destinations safely?
I thank the Member for the Eastern Victoria Region for their question.
The safety of passengers and staff is a priority for the Allan Labor Government, and we work closely with emergency services and operators to manage instances of anti-social behaviour on our network.
Passengers are encouraged to notify staff at stops, or onboard services if they have any concerns while travelling, and in an emergency always contact Triple Zero (000).
In addition to the role played by police in responding to calls for assistance for crimes involving weapons and assaults, Multi-modal Authorised Officers move across the public transport network to check fare compliance addresses anti-social behaviour.
In March this year, the STOPIT campaign was relaunched across social media, the public transport network, radio and news media to encourage Victorians to report antisocial behaviour. By texting STOPIT or 0499 455 455 the user is sent a URL to start reporting an incident while it is happening or after it has occurred. Using the STOPIT platform encourages Victorians to assist Victoria Police in finding offenders. Since launching the application three years ago, Victoria Police have received over 5,700 notifications, leading to more than 60 arrests.
By using platforms like STOPIT, the public we can hold people responsible for antisocial behaviour on public transport accountable and help towards building a safer public transport network for every Victorian.
Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Public and Active Transport