Concerning trend on Victoria’s public transport network

There are calls for more law enforcement on Melbourne’s public transport network after a terrifying incident on a tram and new figures revealing an alarming spike in violent crime.

A 57-year-old man allegedly held a passenger at knife-point and threatened to kill her on the route 48 tram at the corner of Collins and King streets on Saturday morning.

New data shows while patronage levels remain below pre-pandemic levels, crimes against the person on public transport increased by 12.8 per cent from 2019 to this year. Over the past decade, that figure has skyrocketed a staggering 45 per cent.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the concerning trend

Executive director of the Bus Association of Victoria, Chris Lowe, says “there are a hell of a lot of societal costs as a result of not having better enforcement” on public transport.

“We just need more … authorised officers, more PSOs and more transit police,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“They tend not to go out on the bus routes, on the bus services themselves, which is where we need them.”

Press PLAY below to hear what Mr Lowe wants to see happen