Text Alert System To Be Rolled Out On Commuter Trains Next Year

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Dart passengers are alerting security staff to incidents on-board, on average 16 times a week.

They’ve reported anti-social behaviour, that has included fireworks being set off on trains, drinking and urinating on platforms.

Launched in mid August, the text alert system allows dart passengers to discreetly text a monitored security centre to let train staff know of incidents as they happen.

Up until October 18th 145 messages were sent, which included reports of vandalism, intimidation, begging, sexual harassment and racism.

Barry Kenny from Irish Rail says more than a third of texts were about groups of teenagers.

Dermot O’Leary is with the National Bus and Rail Union, who have long campaigned for a dedicated transport police.

He says putting gardaí on trains would cut down on that behaviour. The text alert system is expected to be rolled out to commuter services early in the New Year.