Perth Voice Interactive

THE union representing many of Perth’s public transport officers is pushing for body armour to be issued following a rise in violent incidents in the last couple of years.

According to the latest figures from the Public Transport Authority, the number of overall incidents on Perth trains rose from 3204 in 2021/22 to 4081 in 22/23. Bus drivers reported a similar rise from 2916 to 4121 over the same period.

While an increase in smoking and vaping accounted for a significant part of that increase, attacks on drivers and guards rose by more than 50 per cent.

Australian Rail, Tram, and Bus Industry Union WA branch secretary Joshua Dekuyer says train stations and bus interchanges experience a disproportionate number of violent incidents as they are “more confined,” while people prone to violence tend to “utilise the transport network”.

Mr Dekuyer said while working as a transport officer he had been “assaulted a number of times,” with objects ranging from syringes, knives, and an ornamental spear.

“To suggest that these types of experiences aren’t being experienced by officers’ day to day, they would be sadly mistaken,” Mr Dekuyer said.

He says the RTBU is also looking at trying to get body cameras for drivers and guards because of the increasing violence.

The union is also pushing for mandated double-staffed stations to ensure its members’ safety, as many around WA are considered to be “lone working stations,” which are overseen by a single member of staff, for up to 10-11 hours a day.

But Mr Dekuyer says the network under Metronet is growing quicker than the state government can recruit new staff, particularly when they’re competing from the same pool as other professions such as prison guards.