Wellbeing at Homestead

Staying Safe on Public Transport

Public transport is an important part of daily life for many Victorians and with the holiday break, many students will be accessing this more frequently. Whether travelling to school, work, appointments, or social activities, everyone has the right to feel safe while using trains, trams, buses, and stations.

Victoria's public transport network has a range of safety measures in place, including CCTV cameras, emergency help points, Protective Services Officers (PSOs), Authorised Officers, and transport staff who help maintain a safe environment for passengers. 

Tips for Safe Travel

To help keep yourself safe while travelling on public transport:

• Plan your journey ahead of time and check timetables before travelling.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions where possible.
• Wait in well-lit, populated areas, particularly when travelling at night.
• Travel in busy carriages or near the driver when using buses or trams.
• Keep personal belongings close to you and out of sight where possible.
• Stand behind the yellow safety line when waiting for trains or trams.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe, move to another carriage, change seats, or seek assistance from transport staff or PSOs. 

Reporting Unacceptable Behaviour

Everyone deserves to feel safe on public transport. Unwanted sexual behaviour, harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, vandalism, and other anti-social conduct are not acceptable. 

Victoria Police and Transport Victoria encourage passengers to report behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable, threatened, or unsafe.

STOPIT Text Service

If you experience or witness unwanted sexual or anti-social behaviour on public transport, you can discreetly report it by texting:

STOPIT to 0499 455 455

The STOPIT service allows passengers to notify Victoria Police about non-urgent incidents. Reports help police identify offenders, understand patterns of behaviour across the network, and improve public transport safety for everyone. 

Examples of behaviour that can be reported include:

• Sexual comments, gestures, or harassment
• Inappropriate touching
• Stalking or intimidation
• Racist, threatening, or offensive behaviour
• Verbal abuse
• Drug or alcohol-related incidents
• Vandalism and property damage 

Important: STOPIT is not monitored live. If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is occurring, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Looking Out for One Another

Safety is a shared responsibility. By staying alert, supporting others, and reporting concerning behaviour, we can all contribute to a safer and more respectful public transport network.

Remember: if you see something that doesn't feel right, report it. Your actions could help protect someone else and make public transport safer for everyone.