A NEW upgrade to the Transperth app will give passengers the ability to report security incidents in real time.

The new feature - which will be rolled out to registered Transperth app users will give train, bus and ferry passengers the ability to discreetly report any threatening antisocial behaviour using their mobiles or other portable electronic devices.

The report is submitted to the Public Transport Authority’s 24/7 central monitoring room (CMR), where highly trained staff will assess and render assistance where required.

It will complement the PTA’s existing 9220 9999 emergency service number and help points located at several bus and train stations.

The upgrade is the latest in an expanding and evolving cache of tools being used by the Public Transport Authority and Transperth to ensure the network is as safe as possible for passengers and staff.

In coming months, all transit officers will be wearing body worn cameras on specially designed vests, similar to ones worn by WA Police, to support them in dealing with offences on the network. This will help support transparency and evidence-gathering when dealing with incidents.

It follows a successful trial last year, which allowed officers to capture critical information more effectively, including audio.

The vests have a secure mounting system for the camera to capture clear video footage and features a quick-release mechanism for rapid removal in emergencies.

In addition to the new body worn cameras, two new patrol vehicles, equipped with advanced digital technology to make reporting of offences more efficient, will also be added to the existing fleet of Transperth security vehicles.

Other security features across the public transport network include more than 8600 CCTV cameras at train, bus and ferry facilities monitored 24/7 from the PTA’s CMR (an increase of around 4000 in the last two years), expanded operations with additional shift commanders, surveillance image officers and CMR operators to support the growth of the network.

There will be 447 transit officers on the train network with another 39 to begin operations soon (an increase of around 100 in the last two years), almost 200 contracted security officers on the bus and ferry systems and all buses fitted with a duress alarm and tracked in real time to enable prompt response to any incident.

All buses, trains and ferries will be fitted with full CCTV coverage, and there will be 43 mobile patrol vehicles (15 operated by transit officer’s covering the train system and 28 on the bus and ferry system).

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the government had invested significantly to ensure the Transperth network is as safe as possible for the people who use it.

“While the passenger satisfaction monitor shows the vast majority of people using the network feel safe, it’s important we continue to look at new initiatives that utilise technology to enhance safety and reporting of incidents,” she said.

“The network has expanded significantly thanks to the Metronet program, and with that has come ongoing improvements and additions to the tools being used to keep the system safe, including this new addition to the Transperth app.

“This new feature will provide another layer of safety to the network by allowing people to report incidents in real time via the Transperth app.”