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So how bad is it on the Red Line and do we need to start chasing Veolia to beef up security and win back the trams for the travelling public?
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The answer Mark,is it`s very bad and worsening at a steady rate.
I have used the Red Line since it`s inception and have a Smart Card.
The issue of anti-social thuggery has been there from Day1 and was basically transferred from Bus Atha Cliath,who for years have operated a policy of non-confrontation in relation to such matters.
This ensured that many of West Dublins Bus Routes came to be regarded as safe during Peak Hours only with the off-peak services seen as for the scangers and criminal elements.
LUAS,with its free circulation system was always going to be a mecca for such anti-social goons and so it has proven.
However,I would refrain from laying the blame at the feet of the LUAS "Customer Service" staff.
These people have an unenviable task,which sees them encumbered by a raft of legislation all designed to protect the rights of the "youths" and others who have destruction and mayhem in mind.
The LUAS staff are dealing on a daily basis with serial offenders who are VERY well versed on THEIR legal rights and who quite often are on first name terms with any Gardai who may happen along to confront them.
LUAS is at a turning point and Veolia must be cognicent of what will happen if it does nothing.
As a largely French operation (In Tram terms) its higher management may not yet have a "feel" for the native Irish desire to soil,abuse or otherwise defile their own environment.
Regular users of The Red Line will be all too aware of the subtle atmosphere change which occurs at Bluebell (Inbound),one notices the regulars tucking themselves in a bit tighter or moving to a more strategic seat (away from the door).
The incidences of groups of young deliquents abusing other passengers and staff usually begin from around the Blackhorse stop and continue largely unabated as far as Smithfield where may of the perpetrators alight.
What`s to be done?.....I dont know,BUT the option of doing Nothing is by far and away the LEAST desirable.
I would lean towards the Lockdown check with the Tram detained and swept by a LARGE force of Security and Gardai...Veolia MUST be prepared to face down the RPA on this as the corporate fear of the RPA imposing contractual penalties for late running or other missed performance indicators is what is focusing Controllers minds rather than the actual on-tram occurences.
Such Lockdown Checks will need to be Hi Viz and mobile with certain journeys attended to more than once.
High resolution photographs and personal details need to be accquired and filed on accessible databases with the offenders reminded at every stage that THEY will be targetted and their behaviour on and about the system monitored CONSTANTLY.
Yes it most certainly compromise their Civil Liberties,as it will mine,however I am quite prepared to voluntarily suspend mine in order to allow MY Public Transport Service to be protected !