GLA Rep lauds measures to protect train passengers

Security To Be Improved Due To Substantial Cash Injection

Hounslow�s Member of the London Assembly Tony Arbour has welcomed South West Trains� latest initiatives to tackle unsociable behaviour from youths on trains.

Tony said, � As a regular passenger on South West Trains I am pleased to see that the fears and experiences of too many rail passengers are being taken seriously." He called the deployment of 56 TravelSafe Officers paid for by South West Trains but deployed by British Transport Police "very good news" and said that in conjunction with BTP Mobile patrols this should give extra reassurance to everyone using the trains.

He added, "now that the Strategic Rail Authority & Transport For London/London Rail are investing £3 million to provide CCTV on all suburban trains in South West London, we can hope that travelling by train will be safer. The next step is to see that the trains are reliable as well as safe.�

In August 2002, South West Trains (SWT), in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP), introduced TravelSafe Officers onto the railway. Their remit is to provide a high profile on trains whilst BTP provide additional mobile patrols of police officers.

The large number of trains running on the suburban network, however, inevitably means that all services cannot be covered. As such, TfL London Rail has agreed to invest £1.5million, with a further £1.5 million from the Strategic Rail Authority to install CCTV on all suburban trains on SWT. TfL London Rail has also agreed to invest nearly £500k on a similar programme on trains operating on Watford and North London routes.

February 5, 2004