For the first time, Perth will have over 300 transit officers servicing its passenger train network, with a further 29 graduating this week.
The highly competitive role – which saw approximately 550 people applying for the most recent intake – has been taken up by those with previous experience in the police force, military, security, and in professional, trade and hospitality roles.
Full qualification for the transit officer role takes approximately 6 months, during which trainees are put through a series of tests and classroom, field and on-the-job training, including in legal education, defensive tactics training, rail track safe-working and customer service skills.
“I had the pleasure of meeting some of the new intake this morning and was impressed with their professionalism, friendliness and eagerness to get on with the job,” state transport minister Rita Saffioti said.
“While ensuring the network is safe and comfortable for everyone is an incredibly important part of the role, around 95 per cent of the day-to-day work of transit officers is customer service.”
Much of the role consists in answering questions from the public, and assisting with ticket purchases and other general duties. Maintaining a safe environment on trains and stations is also part of the officers’ responsibility.
All Perth’s passenger trains running after 7pm have two security officers on board. Transperth’s annual Passenger Satisfaction Monitor (PSM) indicated that an average of almost 90 per cent of the 4,000 passengers surveyed recorded they feel safe on Transperth trains.
Saffitoti indicated that the continued expansion of the Perth train network would see the recruitment of additional transit officers in the near future.
“As the McGowan Government continues our Metronet plan to expand Perth’s rail network, we look forward to welcoming more recruits,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing these new staff out on the network, helping to keep our system safe and making passengers’ journeys easier and more enjoyable.”