Locals say 86 tram route had ‘dodgy’ reputation in wake of Aiia Maasarwe’s death

As the outpouring of grief over Aiia Maasarwe’s murder turns to anger, Bundoora locals who regularly travel on the route close to where her body was found are now grappling with the unknown danger that lurks on their tram ride home.

It’s standing room only as the 86 tram leaves the city. At 10.30pm on Wednesday, it’s still bustling. Gradually, it deposits passengers through the inner north and starts to thin out in the 55 minutes it takes to reach Bundoora.

About 10 people, including one passed out, are still on-board as it pulls into stop 61 at the corner of Plenty Rd and Main Drive. It’s one of the route’s last stops — about 17km from the CBD, 500m from La Trobe University and less than 100m from where 21-year-old student Aiia Maasarwe’s body was dumped after she was brutally murdered.

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Aiia Maasarwe rode the 86 tram shortly before she was murdered. Picture: Tony Gough

Bundoora victim Aiia Maasarwe. Picture: Instagram

Detectives are investigating whether the killer stalked Ms Maasarwe on the tram and followed her off some time between 11pm Tuesday and 1am Wednesday.

The gruesome and random nature of the murder has heightened concerns for people who live and study nearby.

Those who regularly catch the 86 tram say the disturbing crime has left them reassessing how safe they feel.

Riding the tram on Wednesday night, La Trobe University student Carly Cheffins said it’s been “a massive shock”.

“It’s awful. You should be able to feel safe,” she said. “I mean, on this tram, you always get people passed out, that kind of stuff, but this is absolutely terrible. I just can’t believe it.”

Heartfelt letters of grief are found at the make shift memorial convey the shock from the community. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Bundoora teen Eason Tu said he felt sick hearing the news, and it hit particularly hard after the murder of his former schoolmate Eurydice Dixon, who was in the year above him at Princes Hill Secondary College.

“It’s just s---,” he said. “I don’t know what to say. I feel like we need more security in Bundoora as well, even though it’s a peaceful place.”

The 18-year-old gets the tram home several nights a week returning from his bar job, usually at 10.30pm or later.

He said trams at that time of night occasionally had people passed out, vomiting or shouting out incoherent ramblings, but said he had never seen any violence.

“My parents are worried, they heard what happened and they’re insecure about me working back late at night,” he said.

A personal touch at the memorial. Picture: Nicole Garmston

For 21-year-old La Trobe Uni student Callum Missen, the murder was too close to home — Ms Maasarwe’s body was discovered in his street.

He regularly travels on the 86 from Bundoora and described it as “a bit dodgy”.

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“It’s got a reputation. You see a lot of crazy people,” he said. “My female friends would say they don’t want to get it by themselves at night. Even males as well, I try to avoid getting it by myself if I’m heading back from the city.”

As the tram powered along on Wednesday it was, apart from the guy passed out, a picture of normality — people chatting or with headphones on, scrolling through their phones.

At the corner of Bourke and Spring streets, there was a particularly cheerful mood from people returning from dinner or the theatre; several parents and children were wearing Harry Potter costumes after the dress rehearsal of the Cursed Child play.

The tram weaves its way through trendy bar districts — Smith St, Collingwood, and High St, Northcote. For some, the night continues.

Others are thinking about getting back to their family and friends. Two women who’ve been travelling together say their goodbyes.

One stops before she hops off and says to the other: “Get home safe.”

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Originally published as Locals say 86 tram route had ‘dodgy’ reputation in wake of Aiia Maasarwe’s death