Rex Jory: Why I don’t feel safe on Adelaide’s trams, trains and buses

Violence, threats and public intimidation are not rare on tram, bus or train trips these days, writes Rex Jory.

I wasn’t scared, not quite. But I was intimidated.

A big man in black tracksuit trousers and a black jacket sat next to me on the tram to Glenelg.

He was carrying an oversized backpack and a bulging crew bag. He spilt into my sitting space.

“Where are you going, mate?” he asked in a loud voice.

When I didn’t reply he nudged me with his elbow. “Going to Glenelg?”

I said I was and went on reading my phone messages.

Another hefty nudge.

“Got any weed, mate?” he asked, which strengthened my suspicion that he was either drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Another nudge.

“Nice bag,” he said, pointing to a small leather bag I was carrying.

“Bet there’s some good stuff in there.”

You can understand why I was intimidated. The tram was crowded but no one was about to come to my aid. Why would they?

I couldn’t change seats. I couldn’t seek help from the driver.

Rex Jory felt a little unsafe on a recent tram trip. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The man stood up and started talking to a group of schoolgirls. They were clearly uncomfortable.

I thought of telling him to stop. But there was a risk he could have abused or belted me.

He sat down.

“Bloody cold, mate,” he said. “You’re not saying much.”

He kept talking to me. I didn’t respond.

About halfway to Glenelg a vacant seat appeared as people got off. I moved seats. The man followed me.

“Not good enough for you am I, mate?”

And: “You’re a bit up yourself, mate.”

Why wouldn’t I be intimidated?

I texted a friend who suggested I get off the tram and wait for the next one.

But why should I be forced to get off the tram and stand in the rain because some irresponsible social bully was hassling me?

When the tram stopped in Jetty Rd, one stop from the end of the line, I waited until the doors opened and suddenly jumped up and got out. The intimidator didn’t have time to follow me.

Sadly, this was not a rare or isolated incident on public transport.

It is a shameful disgrace and an embarrassment that I, and I suspect tens of thousands of other people, can’t travel safely on trams, trains and buses without the risk of harassment and stress.

Last Monday passengers herded to the front of the tram I was on because a man was shouting offensive abuse at them.

Earlier this year a man lay on the floor of a tram, screaming at demons only he could see.

A few weeks ago, friends had a frightening ride on a tram when eight men, obviously drunk, threatened and intimidated passengers. The driver telephoned for assistance but none came.

Police are investigating an assault on a bus driver last month and have released the suspect’s image in a bid to identify him. Picture: SA Police.

This month The Advertiser reported that a passenger punched a bus driver in the face and smashed his glasses.

It is reprehensible that passengers and staff on public transport should be subjected to public intimidation, threats and sometimes violence.

I will continue to use the tram but it’s a fair bet plenty of people – particularly the timid or vulnerable – don’t.

They are being bullied into finding alternative transport because of the minority of travellers who are socially tormenting and tyrannising.

I don’t blame transport authorities. Without a substantial increase in cost to employ security staff on every tram, bus or train, there’s little they can do to stamp out intimidation, violence and vandalism on public transport.

Security staff travel at random on trams, trains and buses but they can’t be everywhere.

And of course, they face the very real risk of being involved in fights and abuse themselves.

An Adelaide Metro website has this advice: “If someone on board is making you feel unsafe, try to move to a different seat or closer to the driver. If that’s not possible or not enough, press the stop button and, once the vehicle has stopped moving, approach the driver and tell them what’s happening.

“If you’re on a tram or train, use the passenger emergency intercom located in every carriage.

“Once the driver safely stops, they answer the intercom, check the CCTV where you are and talk to you.”

In my case that advice was fanciful. It would have been provocative and potentially dangerous.

I know I’m not alone in feeling nervous about travelling on public transport.

It’s a serious social problem no one wants to confront.