Transport Minister Simon O’Brien and Police Minister Rob Johnson have today flagged changes to the management of security on metropolitan buses and trains.

Mr O’Brien said the recent spate of attacks on public transport were alarming and he had moved swiftly to ensure the Public Transport Authority (PTA) had entered into discussions with WA Police to enhance security across the network.

“The Liberal-National Government wants to create safer public transport for drivers, workers and passengers,” Mr O’Brien said.

“A further meeting this afternoon is expected to provide recommendations for immediate improvements to security.

“We are determined to provide a co-ordinated response to security and law enforcement across the public transport network.

“We will also investigate increasing the visible presence of on-board security to act as a deterrent.”  

Mr O’Brien and Mr Johnson said they would ask PTA and WA Police to develop proposals to provide an increased presence of uniformed police officers on buses and trains.

One of the options could be to transfer existing PTA security officers to WA Police.

“The attacks that have occurred in the past few weeks have been vicious and disturbing and are at the more serious end of anti-social behaviour,” Mr Johnson said.

“These assaults are criminal matters that should be dealt with by police so it makes sense for police to be there on public transport network to deal with such offenders.

“The Opposition failed to act on this issue when it was in government and the Police and Transport Ministers did not work together to address this issue.

“Unlike the previous government, which dragged its heels on this issue to the detriment of community safety; we are acting now.”

Transport Minister’s office - 9213 6400