Tram drivers on high alert over rising violence, anti-social behaviour

Tram drivers are terrified to work night shifts in St Kilda after a female worker was attacked by a man as she went to use a toilet in Acland St.

Tram drivers have expressed fears over increased violence and anti-social behaviour in St Kilda. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Tram drivers say they are too terrified to work night shifts in the St Kilda area after a female worker was attacked while on shift.

The driver had got off the route 96 tram to use the toilets at the Acland St terminus when a man followed her and attacked her from behind.

She was taken to hospital following the incident.

Other tram drivers have also reported an increase in violence and anti-social behaviour on trams in the area, leaving them frightened to do their jobs.

The Acland St incident has sparked calls from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union for added staff and increased protection for frontline workers.

State secretary Luba Grigorovitch said safety of members was “of ongoing concern” across Melbourne’s tram network.

“Anti-social behaviour is an issue particularly for members working late nights and weekends and is something no worker deserves to wear,” she said.

“From verbal to physical abuse, including assaults, threats and harassment, our frontline members shoulder too much.”

Ms Grigorovitch said the RTBU would continue to campaign for improved safety measures, including “a stronger presence of staff across the network, as well as improved response systems and an ongoing awareness campaign from the department of transport”.

“We actively encourage all affected employees and the public to report incidents, big or small, to ensure Yarra Trams is aware of the depth and breadth of the issues affecting members,” she said.

One tram driver, who did not want to be named out of fear of losing his job, said he was constantly exposed to verbal abuse and threats of violence, and had been spat at several times during shifts on route 96.

“It’s very frightening. No one should have to feel unsafe just doing their job,” he said.

“I am supposed to be paying attention to the road to keep other people safe but I am worried for my own safety too.”

A Yarra Trams spokesperson said while assaults on staff were rare, “even one attack … is too many”.

“Our people are here to help passengers get to where they need to go — and making sure everyone on our network is safe, including our staff, is our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.

A Transport Department spokesperson said Yarra Trams had increased safety protocols for tram drivers “particularly in relation to safe access to toilets while they work”.

The Leader understands the authority has hired security guards to escort drivers to and from toilet facilities in high danger areas.

Protective services officers also regularly patrol the tram network.

It comes after research showed more than a quarter of Victorians don’t feel safe catching public transport at night.

Data from the Productivity Commission’s annual Report on Government Services released earlier this year showed 26 per cent of Victorians felt unsafe.

And crime statistics revealed there were 12,911 recorded offences on public transport for the 12 months to September in 2020.