Media Release
17 July 2023
It’s NOT Ok: Metro and RTBU partner to target anti-social behaviour head-on
Metro Tasmania (Metro) and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have launched a joint campaign to take a stand on anti-social behaviour on Metro buses.
The It’s NOT Ok campaign demonstrates to the Tasmanian community, Metro customers and our employees that bad behaviour on Metro buses, in Metro shops, online and in the wider community is not acceptable.
Metro CEO Katie Cooper said that anti-social behaviour, including abuse and assault of our bus operators, is occurring in our community, including on our buses and in bus malls
“This is obviously totally unacceptable,” she said.
“At Metro we have seen how this behaviour affects our drivers, our customers, our Metro Shop staff and other employees across the business.
“Together with the RTBU, we are taking a stand against this behaviour.”
The state-wide campaign officially started today (17 July) and includes television and bus advertising, billboards and paid social media.
Ms Cooper said Metro and the RTBU are partnering to make clear that “anti-social behaviour is NOT ok”.
“Anti-social behaviour can take many forms – whether it is abusing staff online or on the Metro phone line, vaping on a bus, or being physically or verbally aggressive towards our drivers – none of this behaviour is acceptable,” she said.
“We all have a role to play and it is expectation that our employees are treated with respect and are free from harassment.
“It is our hope that through this campaign, we can raise awareness of what sort of behaviour is not ok and bring about real change within our communities.”
Ms Cooper said the campaign was just one part of a number of initiatives that Metro and other invested stakeholders were taking to see behavioural change.
Metro has a range of security and safety measures in place, including arrangements with Tasmania Police, CCTV cameras on all buses and internal security and safety programs. Metro has a long-standing partnership with Tasmania Police for a dedicated resource.
The campaign will run for a number of months in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart.