Re: Drugs on trains

[Peter Ware <pwware@ozemail.com.au>]

Michael Walker wrote:

>  http://www.theage.com.au/news/20000712/A1696-2000Jul11.html
>
> Talks about the drug problem on public transport. It notes the Epping
> line (and presumably the Hurstbridge line) through Collingwood, the
> Dandenong line through Springvale, the 86 tram through Smith Street and
> overdoses on country trains as being the worst areas.
>
> I'm not sure one of the solutions suggested, returning guards to
> trains, is going to make any difference though. As suggested in other
> threads, and in the past when it comes up, railway guards were there to
> guard the train in a safeworking sense. Every time it was suggested
> guards roam the trains in Melbourne, all hell broke loose. I think it
> happened for a short time and then they stopped doing it (safety
> reasons?). Then the government got rid of them. If all the guard is
> going to do is ride in their box up the end, read the paper and ding
> the bell twice and shut the doors, I doubt that trains will be any more
> safe and secure than they are now without them. Just my 2c worth!
>
> Conductors on the other hand I can see the point of from a public
> safety point of view.
>

My one and only experience with hard drugs on trains was on the NSW Central
Coast - an afternoon interurban V set from Sydney to Newcastle. One of the
passengers was "shooting up" in the carriage - didn't even bother to go to
the toilet to do it. The guard was informed immediately and the passenger
was promptly removed by police waiting at the next station - Woy Woy.

I have also had an experiences where I  reported a group of drunken
passengers to a guard who then radio'ed for the police. Unfortunately when
the police boarded the train further down the line the drunks had already
left.

Those sort of prompt responses would probably not have happened in a driver
only operation

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