12/2/98
Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today it was disappointing that people's personal safety concerns had carried over to reflect on public transport.
Mr Charlton said recent survey results which found a large number of Western Australians were afraid to use public transport after dark were more a reflection of society's general safety concerns and not specifically related to Perth's public transport system.
"Public transport in WA is the safest it has ever been and this is reflected by more people than ever using the service," he said.
"In the past 12 months alone, we have introduced security guards on trains, video cameras in taxis, video cameras at transport interchanges and are now examining the introduction of video cameras on to new buses.
"Safety on public transport is paramount and as Minister I am committed to introducing new initiatives to improve public safety."
The Minister said the most recent of regular independent surveys of public transport users found that 80 per cent of people always or usually felt safe.
Only 18 per cent of respondents said they did not feel safe travelling at this time. Nearly all respondents (98 per cent) said they always or usually felt safe using public transport during the day.
Mr Charlton said he questioned whether the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) initiated survey had targeted actual transport users.
"Our surveys show that the vast majority of public transport users do feel safe when using the service," he said.
"As a Government, our challenge now is to reassure those who do not use public transport that it is safe and to dispel perceptions that indicate otherwise."
Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9321 7333
