By Nicole Precel
MORE than 100 bus shelter panels have been destroyed and vandalised in Hobsons Bay in the last 12 months, costing over $37,000 to repair.
According to Adshel, which is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the shelters in Hobsons Bay, there have been 141 bus shelter panels damaged in the past year.
The three hotspots for the damages include Altona Meadows, with 68 panels repaired in the last 12 months, Altona North with 17 panels and Brooklyn with 15.
The Brimbank statistics are in stark contrast to nearby municipalities, with Hobsons Bay recording 141 smashed panels and Wyndham just 118 across the same time period.
The Department of Transport said the majority of repairs to shelters involved replacing glass planels and 216 instances of graffiti removal.
Shelters are fitted with lights for increased security at night and they are included in patrols by transit police.
Adshel said the cost of cleaning and maintaining the glass on average was $1500 per shelter.
Stuart Moffatt, Adshel’s commercial director for Victoria said Adshel dealt with vandalism as a matter of high priority and continued to work with councils, the police and the community to improve the situation.
“It’s not just bad news for drivers and cyclists, it’s also extremely dangerous for the pedestrians who walk by or wait in the shelter,” Mr Glavincevski said.
Altona North resident Norma Barron said the broken bus shelters were not good for the area.
“There have been quite a few in Millers Rd,” she said.
“One is too often for me. It’s shocking.”
Brooklyn resident Laurie Bell said he didn’t notice smashed bus shelter panels very often, but it was still an issue.
“It shouldn’t happen, whether it’s graffiti or whatever, it’s still vandalism,” he said.
Adshel has emergency response vehicles that are on a 24-hour standby basis and has a policy to remove broken glass within three hours and have it replaced within 24 hours.
Toughened glass is also used to minimise danger to commuters and passersby in the event of damage.
Adshel works closely with councils, the police and the community to implement joint initiatives to combat the recurring issue of vandalism.
To report damaged bus shelters contact the police or Adshel’s shelter hotline on 1800 501 402.
