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<\/a><\/p>\nTram staff are routinely shouted at, spat on and physically attacked, according to a trade union representative, in behaviour the city\u2019s transport boss branded \u2018disgraceful\u2019.<\/p>\n
According to data from union Unite, 210 instances of anti-social behaviour on the trams were reported in the past year.<\/p>\n
Steven Maison, chair of the Edinburgh Trams Unite branch, told councillors that improved working with the police and a new CCTV system have not been enough to tackle the problem.<\/p>\n
In a frank statement to councillors he said: \u201cThe sad truth is even staffing trams and stops with police officers won\u2019t deter people who are determined to make your day worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to the reported incidents, Transport and Environment Committee convener and Labour councillor Stephen Jenkinson put forward a motion on Thursday calling for action on the issue, which passed unanimously.<\/p>\n
In it, he asked council officers to return to the committee by December spelling out what interventions can be made by the council and Edinburgh Trams to address anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n
Additionally, he called on them to compile all available data on behaviour that impacts staff, and evaluate the current measures aimed at tackling staff abuse on the trams.<\/p>\n
Cllr Jenkinson said: \u201cWe have had some concerning incidents of physical violence, verbal abuse, pushing, kicking and spitting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s quite disgraceful actually, and I\u2019m absolutely aware that we\u2019ve had quite rightly in not only this committee, but also in full council, motions and reports and really good work done looking for our colleagues in Lothian Buses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t forget about the work that still needs to be done in regards to looking after our workers and colleagues and passengers on Edinburgh Trams.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s important that not only this committee, but this council, reaffirm our commitment to the safety of the workers that fall within the remit of this committee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Maison wrote that the issues faced by staff on the trams are different than those for bus drivers, as ticket inspectors on the trams walk freely about each vehicle.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, bus drivers find themselves positioned behind a screen, which covers the space between boarding passengers and the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
He continued to describe the issues his members face: \u201cDaily our service staff are confronted with everything from verbal abuse, passenger on passenger abuse, vandalism, spitting, projectiles thrown at the vehicle and physical attacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do not have screens to stay protected behind; they are customer facing. Within the last year we have had 210 reports of anti-social behaviour and only roughly 1 \u2013 2% of those reports lead to prosecution under the tramway bylaws.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic transport has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour, and that\u2019s only the reported numbers. Something must give.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to data from Unite, each year only 1-2% of instances of anti-social behaviour directed at staff on the trams led to prosecution.<\/p>\n
And, 15% of instances of anti-social behaviour recorded in the past year involved emergency stop levers being pulled.<\/p>\n
Mr Maison said this led to the safety of both passengers and staff being \u2018put in jeopardy\u2019.<\/p>\n
Labour councillor Conor Savage agreed with Cllr Jenkinson, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s paramount that staff and the public are kept safe whilst using public transport, so we need to be sure that all appropriate measures are in place to protect them.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting information on these is therefore critical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conservative councillor Iain Whyte agreed, but suggested involving the police, telling Cllr Jenkinson: \u201cI haven\u2019t chosen to oppose your motion, because I think this is a very important issue, one we should be concerned about.<\/p>\n
\u201cConcerned about these things that we, we the council, should discuss with the police, too, as well as the companies involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I give a shout out to anyone on the Culture and Communities Committee to take that opportunity to scrutinise Police Scotland in their delivery within Edinburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must hold the tram company to account, too, for the health and safety of their staff. Our report should take account of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf pressure is to go on, that\u2019s perhaps where it should go. And they should be talking to the trade unions about this as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edinburgh Trams is owned by Edinburgh Council, but as an arms-length company. This means the company takes most decisions independently of the council.<\/p>\n
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n
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