The ACT Government has introduced a new Bill into the Assembly that would provide additional powers to authorised persons to manage antisocial behaviour and occupational violence on the public bus network.
The Bill would allow Transport Canberra officers and ACT Police to direct individuals to leave a bus interchanges or the immediate area around a bus stop if they are showing aggressive or menacing behaviour, or otherwise pose a safety risk to others. ACT Police would be also able to remove an individual if they fail to comply with a move on direction.
Minister for Transport Chris Steel said the ACT Government had listened to the transport workforce and these changes are in direct response to reports of occupational violence by bus drivers in the ACT.
"Violence or harassment towards bus drivers or passengers is not acceptable or tolerated on our bus network, including bus stops and interchanges," Mr Steel said.
"Addressing occupational violence and enhancing safety for our staff and community is a priority for the ACT Government. Our staff have the right to be safe at work and our passengers have the right to be safe when using our services.
"This Bill delivers on the commitment ACT Labor made at the election to review our transport laws to provide additional powers for transport officers to manage anti-social behaviour and promote safe journeys on public transport."
The new powers will apply to police officers, Transport Canberra Field Transport Officers, and the new teams of Transport Enforcement Officers funded in the 2025-26 Budget.
The Bill is part of a suite of actions being delivered by the ACT Government to improve the safety of Transport Canberra bus drivers, passengers and community members who may be passing through bus interchanges and stops.
"To build a safer public transport network, upgraded cabin protection safety screens are also being installed across the bus fleet and specialised de-escalation training is being delivered across the Transport Canberra workforce," Mr Steel said.
"We will soon be commencing a dedicated team of Transport Enforcement Officers who will be a visible presence across our bus network and will be trained to use these new powers to deter and respond to anti-social behaviour and occupational violence across the bus network".
Recruitment for these new roles will be advertised by Transport Canberra in the coming weeks.
