Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021
16. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport his views on the way public confidence in the security of public transport can be improved, particularly given recent heightened concern regarding safety, particularly that of women on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62100/21]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for her question and the opportunity to discuss the very serious issue of anti-social behaviour on our public transport systems.
Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue that we are currently facing to which public transport is not immune, and I recognise that those who work and commute daily using our public transport network are most directly impacted by any incidents which occur.
I am particularly aware of the concern of women regarding safety for women travelling on public transport and this was highlighted in the 2020 study commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland "Travelling in a Woman's Shoes". That study highlighted that 55% of women stated they would not use public transport at night and 34% of women stated that feelings of insecurity have prevented them from travelling. The report also highlighted that 1 in 3 public transport users have seen or experienced some form of harassment or violence while using public transport. This presents a challenge at a time when we are committed to increasing usage of public transport and to achieve modal shift.
While it should be noted that the vast majority of public transport passenger journeys occur without incident, I am of course concerned to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to protect the safety of all passengers and staff.
The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, where appropriate.
My Department has been engaging regularly with the NTA and the three CIÉ companies, on the issue of anti-social behaviour. The companies have advised me of a number of initiatives being undertaken to help ensure the safety and security of both the travelling public and their staff.
Iarnród Éireann have advised that, in conjunction with an Garda Síochána, a joint focus on public order and anti-social behaviour has been in place since May 2021, with a particular emphasis on the Greater Dublin Area and the DART, Northern Line and Heuston to Portlaoise services.
As of the 13th of December, four Garda Response Hubs are now in operation to support on-board staff at: Mallow; Limerick Junction; Thurles; and Portlaoise.
Furthermore, an Athlone Garda Response Hub has been approved and will commence operations on 1st January 2022, with additional Response Hubs in Kildare (Kildare Town or Newbridge) and Roscommon (Castlereagh) in negotiation.
An Garda Síochána is currently supporting Iarnród Éireann in carrying out on-board patrols on scheduled late night services over the Christmas period across the network in addition to ongoing joint Garda/Iarnród Éireann operations, including high visibility patrols of stations where specialist Garda Teams included the Garda Dog Unit will be deployed.
A text alert service has also been introduced to enable customers to discreetly report anti-social behaviour incidents
Transdev Dublin Light Rail, who operate the Luas network on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, employ 50 security staff. These staff liaise with An Garda Síochána regularly as part of their work, such as through the Operation Citizen initiative, commenced in October, which has increased the visual presence of Garda patrols, particularly in the city centre where heavy footfall Luas Stops are located. Concurrently they have reported that they are seeing a decrease in anti-social behaviour of circa 40% - at the same time as experiencing an increase in tram travel.
Both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have reported that the level of anti-social behaviour is relatively low on their services and also noted a declining trend, which is positive.
The entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 10 internal cameras and two external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet. Each vehicle is equipped with a radio, which facilitates immediate contact to the Central Control Centre.
All of the company's buses are in radio contact with Central Control. Any instances of disruption or concerns around security are immediately reported and services are suspended as necessary. The company also has mobile inspectors in the city centre, who are available to attend incidents as required.
Bus Éireann has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff and driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor, single-deck and double-deck bus fleet. Emergency support for drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required.
The combined interventions implemented to date have had a number of successes in tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly on the northern DART through teamwork between IÉ’s security provider, the Howth Junction Security Centre, Revenue Protection Unit staff, station staff and An Garda Síochána, however this is an issue which will require continuing joint action.
As Minister for Transport, both Minister Ryan and I will continue to work collectively with all stakeholders to ensure the safest possible travel environment for members of the public, and safest possible working environment for the employees providing our valuable public transport services.
