By ALESHA CAPONE
HUNDREDS of bus shelters across the West have been smashed and vandalised over the past 17 months, posing a danger to commuters.
Figures exclusively obtained by Star reveal 770 bus stop glass panels required repairing last year across Wyndham, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
During the first five months of this year, another 417 have also been repaired across the four municipalities.
Brimbank recorded the most damage, with 600 repairs needed, followed by Wyndham with more than 280, Hobsons Bay on 183 and 120 in Maribyrnong.
Public Transport Victoria has a contract with the company Adshel to clean and repair bus shelters, in 21 municipalities across metropolitan Melbourne.
“Vandalism of any transport infrastructure is a serious concern and we encourage the community to report antisocial behaviour to the police,” a Public Transport Victoria (PTV) spokesperson said.
But due to commercial confidentiality, they cannot disclose the amount paid to fix the shelters.
President of the Public Transport Users Association in Melbourne, Daniel Bowen, said offenders who damaged bus shelters were inconveniencing commuters.
“Obviously damaged bus shelters could well be unusable, and given the wind and rain over winter, could mean a cold wet wait for passengers at bus stops,” he said.
“Such vandalism of community facilities cannot be tolerated.”
Western Region MP Bernie Finn said offenders who damaged bus shelters needed to realise the seriousness of their actions.
“I have actually viewed the product of these lunatics and my opinion is that police should track them down and lock them up,” he said.
“Clearly, this is an act of someone who needs to be kept away from the rest of us.”
The PTV spokesperson said glass was the best material for constructing bus stops, as it meant drivers could see waiting passengers, it provided better shelter than mesh and was easier to clean graffiti off, compared to perspex.
“In the past we have attempted to build bus shelters with materials such as perspex, mesh and steel, but glass has proven to be the better option,” they said.
Damaged bus shelters can be reported to the Adshel hotline on 1800 501 402.
