Police Transport & Public Safety Command (PT&PS) and Sydney Trains have launched Operation Rampart, designed to target anti-social and dangerous behaviour to ensure the NSW public transport network is safe and secure this Summer. 

The three-month operation began last November and will continue until Friday 16 February 2024. It is a proactive operation intended to reduce crime on the public transport network with a specific focus on general anti-social behaviour, assault, property offences and buffer riding. 

PT&PS and Sydney Trains have agreed to the commencement of Operation Rampart and the Enhaned Enforcement Program (EEP). The operation has been allocated the resources required to monitor our public transport systems as safety is a major concern.

EEP is providing additional funding for shifts to ensure police officers are present and patrolling the railway lines and particularly targeting those committing buffer riding offences. 

PT&PS South West Commander, Superintendent Mark Wall says, “the message is simple; don’t put your life at risk trying to impress your friends, or with the goals of getting views on social media.” 

Last year, 27 buffer riding or roof riding incidents were recorded. Sydney Trains Head of Security and Intelligence, Jess Sharpe says, “anti social behaviour and buffer riding cause huge delays to the rail network preventing passengers from getting to work or home in a timely way. So far this year anti-social behaviours have caused nearly 11 thousand minutes in delays.”

There has been a rise in buffer riding incidents during the school holidays, “our trains weigh 400 tonnes and travel up to 110 km/h. This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. People risk being seriously injured or killed all for a silly thrill. It’s not worth it” 

“The impact these stupid acts have on our staff cannot be put into words. They are very traumatic at the very least,” says Hall.