The South Australian Government is seeking tenders to retrofit safety screens to 550 buses by 2020 as part of a $70 million investment in the Adelaide Metro public transport network.
The tender coincides with a new three year contract with Wilson Security, with an option to extend to nine years, up to a value of $67.5 million.
There are almost 1000 buses in the current Adelaide Metro fleet and approximately one third are already fitted out with security screens.
The Government’s extra $2.5 million investment will ensure all buses are retrofitted with the screens as quickly as possible, while ensuring no impact on services.
The security contract also includes a new 24/7 security hub at Dry Creek and will deliver a greater security presence on the public transport network.
The contract includes additional mobile security patrols and a greater focus on protecting Adelaide Metro and other Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) assets from graffiti vandals and security incidents, including more patrols around vulnerable areas and an emphasis on reducing attacks on stations, trains, trams and buses.
The security hub will provide a new base for targeted monitoring of CCTV across the Adelaide Metro network, as well as incident response coordination and communications.
The security hub will be co-located in Dry Creek with the new Rail Operations Centre which is being relocated from North Terrace to allow for the construction of SAMHRI 2.
Security screens are a standard feature on all new Adelaide Metro buses, including the 400 new buses to be supplied under a $300-million tender called last month.
The new security contract will complement extensive safety and security arrangements and partnerships already in place including operations by South Australia Police and the DPTI’s passenger service assistants.
All tenders are being conducted to ensure the benefits to local workers and businesses are maximised.
The new measures are in addition to other recent safety and security initiatives including:
- The $4 million rollout of new high-tech CCTV cameras, improved lighting and emergency contact points at stations and interchanges across the Adelaide Metro network
- The introduction of an additional 10 passenger service assistants to conduct compliance operations on buses
- Mobile security patrols which monitor bus and rail networks as well as maintaining a presence at major stations and interchanges whilst on patrol
- Introducing tough new penalties of up to 25 years in jail for thugs who assault transport workers including Adelaide Metro bus, train and tram drivers, passenger service assistants, and taxi and chauffeur vehicle drivers
- Community education campaigns highlighting the penalties for not having a ticket and penalties for assaulting public transport workers
- Installing ticket gates at the Salisbury and Noarlunga stations
