Armed Transit Officers to Patrol Darwin's Bus Network

Topic: Crime

Passengers say safety on Darwin's bus network hasn't improved.

In short:

Transit officers will start armed patrols on Darwin's bus network from June with four months of training.

The Transport Workers Union says antisocial behaviour on the NT's public transport is the worst in the country.

The NT government says some positive results have come from interventions to bring violence under control.

Lismyati avoids catching a bus after dark in Darwin.

It's too dangerous, she says.

Lismyati relies heavily on her family or the local bus network to get around.

She has witnessed violent fights and public drunkenness on the bus network.

Lismyati says catching buses after dark is too dangerous.

More people are turning to public transport as petrol prices climb, but in Darwin, it comes with a unique cost.

The NT government shut down Darwin's major bus terminals and altered routes to curb antisocial behaviour.

Buses became free of charge to reduce conflict months before.

The CLP government announced transit officers would begin patrolling the bus network, armed with guns.

The NT government increased security to curb crime.

Assistant NT Police Commissioner Brendan Muldoon said armed officers would create safer public spaces.

The first group of 24 transit officers is expected to begin patrols in June.

Transit officers already carry pepper spray and have powers to arrest or remove people.

Justice groups warned the move could result in more deaths in custody.

Yingiya Guyula warned Indigenous people to be careful when using public transport.

He urged Indigenous people to stay away from Darwin if possible.

He asked them to be careful if they had to visit from remote communities.

We are seeing more racism, and now capsicum spray and more guns, he wrote.

Bus crime is the worst in the country.

The Transport Workers Union welcomed the government's intervention.

Barry Norton said antisocial behaviour had been rampant for years.

Video footage showed a bus driver being assaulted and passengers thrown through the air.

It is the worst in the country, he said.

Bus drivers walked off the job for 24 hours, striking for better pay and safer conditions.

There's been mass brawls, fights, and consumption of alcohol, Mr Norton said.

The closure of the Casuarina bus interchange made a difference.

It is now a get-on-and-get-off place, whereas before it was a meeting place.

Barry Norton said antisocial behaviour on the local bus network is out of hand.

TWU declined to say whether it supported the NT government's plan to arm transit officers.

Darwin local Roger McHugh frequently catches public transport from his home to the shops.

The closure of the Casuarina interchange often left him waiting for buses in the rain.

Despite the CLP's intervention, he said the bus stop did not seem any safer.

Someone got stabbed here not long ago, he said.

Roger McHugh relies on Darwin's buses to get around.

The NT government said the tide is turning.

A spokesperson said closing the Casuarina bus interchange resulted in a 65 per cent drop in incidents.

TSU officers attended 2,023 incidents in the three months prior to the closure.

In the three months after, that figure fell to 710.

Public transport passenger Heath Baxter noticed bus stops were left without shelter.

Heath Baxter says guns on buses is an extreme measure.

He didn't believe arming transit workers with guns would address safety issues.

While Victoria has armed transit patrols, there have been calls to take away the weapons.

Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan did not respond to questions about crime-reduction measures.

Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan says community safety is the NT government's number one priority.

He could not point to evidence that suggested arming transit officers had reduced crime on public transport.

An increase of police public safety officers has an effect on antisocial behaviour, Mr Yan said.

A brawl involving dozens of students broke out at the Palmerston bus interchange.

The NT government said the decision to close the interchange required further consideration.

Mr Norton said he was waiting to see whether the NT government's changes would make a difference.

It is the psychology of the people that commit these acts.

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