Urinating, laying on the floor and violence: Passengers call for extra security after spate of anti-social behaviour

Violent and disgusting behaviour in broad daylight on one of Adelaide’s most important public transport routes has sparked a new call for authorities to get tough on security.

Violence, urinating out the door and laying on the floor are just some of the behaviour making passengers feel unsafe on a popular Adelaide tram route.

Commuters have been left feeling uncomfortable with no one to turn to following a spate of anti-social and violent incidents on the tram from Glenelg.

They have called for urgent improvements to safety to increase public confidence, with some people avoiding the service or leaving the tram before their stop after being left feeling uncomfortable.

Regular passenger Patricia Brougham, 82, said she feared for her safety when a “very angry” woman with an iron bar approached her at a stop on Brighton Rd when she was coming home at night.

“She walked up to me and said ‘I could derail the tram with this’,” Ms Brougham recalled.

“Then she started bashing the stop.”

Luckily Ms Brougham could “see the tram coming” and quickly boarded to avoid further confrontation.

“It’s quite confronting and you divert your gaze because the more you engage the worse it is.”

She said there was “no protection” against anti-social behaviour for people taking the tram.

“The passengers are on their own.”

Passenger David, 85, said he often sees tram users “abusing people”.

He said he has seen people “laying on the floor” of the tram with little done to stop them.

On that occasion the driver “came and said something to him” but nothing further happened.

David also recalls seeing a man “peeing out the door”.

“One of them had a bit too much to drink,” he said.

And issues with anti-social behaviour do not just occur at night time.

“You get it just after lunch,” David said.

“You’ve got to be careful with the people you get on the tram.

“Someone ditched a full bottle of Coke down the aisle.”

Commuter David, 85, from Glenelg East said he often sees anti-social behaviour on the tram. Picture: Supplied

Calls for extra security on the Glenelg tram line came following an incident where Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson had to quickly disembark during a recent trip for fears to her safety.

“After receiving numerous complaints from residents, I boarded a tram at Moseley Square in Glenelg at 9.10am on a weekday – but disembarked after only four stops, due to concerns for my safety,” she said.

Amanda Wilson, Glenelg mayor, Picture: Supplied

In a move to “target hot spots and identify behavioural trends” in December the government launched a public transport survey program with QR codes on 35,000 seats Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

“Data gathered is now being used to further target hot spots and identify behavioural trends, enabling Adelaide Metro to develop strategies to reduce incidents and improve safety.”

Results of the program are set to be released “soon”.

Mr Koutsantonis also said part of the process of bringing trams and trains back into public hands will involve “an increased security role for passenger service assistants”.

Across Adelaide Metro’s public transport network there are more than 1300 cameras including at bus interchanges and train stations.

“Adelaide Metro works closely with the SA Police Public Transport Safety Branch to maintain a safe and secure environment,” a Transport Department spokesman said.

“Plain-clothed and uniformed police regularly move through the public transport network.”