Trespasser panels are being trialled at railway stations to deter unsafe behaviours and reduce train delays.
The large rubber panels that have raised pyramids are being installed near trespasser hotspots including Narre Warren and Berwick which experience a higher frequency of incidents
They will be installed beside railway lines to create an unstable surface – making it difficult for pedestrians to get around them and into the rail corridor.
On average, 300 incidents every month disrupt services and delay passengers.
If one person is seen illegally walking on the railway, multiple services can be stopped in their tracks, delaying passengers and causing knock on effects across the network.
To keep the network safe and secure, Metro has a network of 9,000 CCTV cameras at stations and inside trains to monitor trespass behaviour in real-time.
Metro’s Network Security and Surveillance team routinely patrols known trespassing hotspots and conducts operations to crack down on unsafe behaviour.
Fines of up to $330 apply for anyone who illegally trespasses on the rail network.
The panels will also be rolled out at Keilor Plains, Yarraville and Prahran.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne described trespassers as “incredibly selfish, illegal and dangerous.”
“This risk-taking disrupts train services, delaying passengers and has the potential to have lasting consequences if something unthinkable happens,” she said.
“We’re always working with Metro to look at new ways to stop trespassing and improve services for passengers – these new panels will deter trespassers and help keep our trains running,” she said.
Metro Trains chief executive officer Raymond O’Flaherty said the new anti-trespasser panels have proven to be effective on railways around the world, providing both a physical and visual deterrent to illegal behaviour.
