Passenger safety and behaviour

Everyone using Adelaide Metro public transport network has the right to a safe and pleasant journey.

Keeping yourself safe

Police help

  • If you suspect that a serious crime is in progress, you have just seen or been involved in a crime, or you need urgent help, call Police Emergency on 000.
  • For non-urgent police help, call Police Assistance on 131 444.

Reporting suspicious or illegal behaviour

If you feel unsafe on-board

If someone on board is making you feel unsafe, try to move to a different seat or closer to the driver. If that's not possible or not enough, press the stop button and, once the vehicle has stopped moving, approach the driver (tap on the cabin window if you need to get their attention) and tell them what’s happening.

If you’re on a tram or train, use the passenger emergency intercom located in every carriage. Once the driver safely stops, they’ll answer the intercom, check the CCTV where you are and talk to you.

Don’t forget that drivers aren’t security guards or police. As well as keeping themselves safe on board, they need to stay in their seat so they are close to the emergency button and their communications radio. They will contact their control centre to arrange help from police, ambulance or security services, if it's needed.

Adelaide Metro's security systems

All Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams have onboard video surveillance. There are also more than 1300 cameras across the network, including at bus interchanges and train stations. We continually install and upgrade surveillance systems for better coverage and to help South Australia Police (SAPOL) with criminal investigations.

We work closely with the SAPOL Public Transport Safety Branch to maintain a safe and secure environment. Plain-clothed and uniformed police regularly move through the public transport network. All SAPOL officers travel free on public transport, in uniform or casual clothing, at any time and can intervene in any incidents.

Contracted security services and guards (Wilsons Security) also work across the public transport network. Their services include:

  • roving security guards
  • mobile security patrols at night
  • night guard patrols on trains
  • night guard patrols on trams on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • dog patrols
  • monitoring video surveillance.

24-hour emergency phones are available at stations. Using the phone activates video surveillance in the area around the phone.

Being a good passenger

Do

  • Leave priority seating areas for people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids, assistance dogs, people who may have difficulties standing safely, pregnant women, or adults with children in prams
  • Keep noise to a minimum, including conversations, music and phone calls – use headphones instead of speakers
  • Keep your bags, trolleys, prams and any other obstructions out of the way of other passengers
  • Move away from the bus, train and tram doors at stops and stations, so that people can get in and out
  • Help keep things clean – take your rubbish with you or tell the driver if there is a spill
  • Use hand sanitiser before and after touching surfaces
  • Try to stay 1.5m apart from other passengers while waiting and onboard.
  • Arrive at your station or stop five minutes early
  • Remain seated or hold on until your service has stopped to alight safely. Adelaide Metro recommends maintaining three points of contact at all times, i.e. two feet on the ground and one hand on a rail or handle.
  • Watch your step when boarding or alighting, there may be a small gap between the service and platform.
  • Keep the pram in front of you with the child facing the vehicle when boarding with a pram. Please exit backwards while keeping the pram and child facing the vehicle.
  • Apply the pram brakes onboard and face the pram to the back of the vehicle. If possible, keep the child strapped in the pram. Do not hang heavy items on the pram as it could tip.

Do not

  • Smoke or vape while travelling on a bus, train or tram
  • Smoke or vape at or near bus, train or tram waiting areas that have full or partial shelter, including when the shelter is provided by buildings, verandahs or other physical structures. Not even when it’s raining
  • Eat or carry uncontained food onboard
  • Drink alcohol, soft drinks or juices onboard (plain water is ok if you need it)
  • Put your feet on seats
  • Use buses, trains or trams when you are not feeling well
  • Graffiti on, vandalise or damage public transport property and services
  • Use more seats than you need
  • Leave your bike in a wheelchair space when someone in a wheelchair or mobility aid gets on to the train.
  • Put your arm, leg, or any object between the doors to stop them closing. The driver may not see you and the doors may not re-open quickly.

Graffiti and vandalism

If you see someone graffiti or vandalise public transport property, or you know someone who has, please report them to Crime Stoppers SA. You don’t have to give anyone your name when you make a report.

It costs a lot to clean up graffiti attacks, particularly when some locations get targeted repeatedly. It also causes problems for public transport users when the affected buses, trains, trams and other infrastructure is taken out of service or shut down for repairs.

Related information