Data reveals just one safety incident for every 17,409 Metro trips

The rail union claims safety incidents are increasing across the rail network. Metro incident data says otherwise.

The rail union’s claim that Metro staff need “secure cabins”, body-worn cameras and stab-proof vests for their own protection was based on just 15 “safety” incidents on the network since Labor took office.

Metro data, obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, has debunked the Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s claim that they need expensive new kit to combat “anti-social behaviour and assaults (are) increasing across the rail network”.

As of Thursday, 261,129 Metro services had been delivered across the network since March 2023.

With only 15 safety incidents, that amounts to one incident for every 17,409 services.

Two of those incidents involved knives; on June 11 2023, an employee witnessed a stabbing incident involving two members of the public at Macquarie University, and on December 31 2024 a bag was found containing a knife at Gadigal station.

Sydney’s Metro has had only 15 safety incidents since March 2023. Picture: Richard Dobson

There were eight incidents of staff being verbally or physically abused, and two incidents involving drunk passengers.

One “Customer Journey Coordinator” was barged by a passenger in February, a customer kicked an Opal gate last year, and “youths” were spotted riding bikes on a platform in January.

More than 266,000 Metro services have been delivered since Labor took office. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Earlier this month, Premier Chris Minns ruled out installing secure cabins on Metro trains, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars and force the trains off the tracks while awaiting sign-off by the regulator.

The RTBU is also calling for all staff to be provided with “body-worn cameras” and “stab-proof vests”.

The claims are among a list of demands issued by the union as part of a wage dispute, with union members asking for a 24 per cent pay rise over three years, and 10 paid sick days a year.

The RTBU is considering launching industrial action from August if the dispute is not resolved before then.

The RTBU wants body-worn cameras, stab-proof vests, and secure cabins for staff ‘safety’. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Meanwhile, while union members working on the Metro are calling for more surveillance, the RTBU’s train workforce have demanded less.

As part of its wage bargaining claim, the RTBU asked for Sydney Trains to “restrict” the use of CCTV on its members.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward accused the union of using safety as an “immature bargaining chip”.

“If it’s unsafe for the driver on a driverless train, then every driver, guard, fare officer and cleaner on Sydney Trains deserves the same protection,” she said.

She said the one in 17,409 chance of a safety incident occurring on the Metro is “about the same chance of having a reliable train service under this Labor government”.

Transport Minister John Graham confirmed the Metro operator “will look at” the safety demands.

“The statistics over two years show Sydney’s Metro system has a strong safety record for the millions of passengers who use it and our frontline workers on stations and trains,” he said.

“Metro operator MTS is currently negotiating an EBA and under its Fair Work Act obligations it will look at all claims and respond as part of the normal process.”

The RTBU did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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Originally published as Data reveals just one safety incident for every 17,409 Metro trips