Adelaide Metro safety measures backed by 20% assault drop

Adelaide Metro safety measures are being linked to a year-on-year drop in assaults across the city’s public transport system, with assaults on passengers and staff reported to be down by 20% last year, according to the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Across Adelaide’s train, tram and bus network, 404 assaults were recorded in 2025, compared with 502 in 2024 — a fall of 98 incidents. The announcement also coincides with Adelaide Metro marking 12 months since train services returned to public control, as reported by Railway Supply.

Adelaide Metro assaults down 20 per cent in 2025

In 2025, the South Australian government introduced a range of measures aimed at improving safety at key public transport locations. Security operations were expanded to 14 across the network, up from nine operations in 2024.

Don’t miss…Mount Isa line reopening restores Queensland freight corridor

More than 22,000 tickets were checked over the year, and 510 people were cautioned for fare evasion or inappropriate behaviour.

South Australia public transport safety laws and barring orders

Those steps sit alongside South Australia public transport safety laws introduced last year to address criminal and antisocial behaviour. Under the legislation, passengers can be banned from using the network indefinitely if they have been charged with violent offences, as outlined by Adelaide Metro.

Penalties for breaching a ban have also increased, with the maximum court fine rising from $2,500 to $7,000. Last year, SA Police issued 430 transit barring orders.

Bus safety screens rollout and new security taskforce

Other major initiatives include the creation of a new security taskforce backed by a $9.6 million investment in the 2025–26 State Budget. The unit will recruit and deploy 19 dedicated officers, lifting the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s prescribed officer numbers to about 200.

Work has also begun on installing safety screens across all 940 government-owned buses under a $7.5 million program intended to provide greater protection for drivers. Adelaide Metro data shows 208 bus assaults in 2025, down from 238 in 2024 — a 13% drop.

Passengers are encouraged to report antisocial behaviour via the Adelaide Metro website or by calling the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 (7am–8pm daily).

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: