A V/LINE train carriage has been targeted by graffiti vandals at Albury railway station in an early morning attack which has cast doubts over suitable security arrangements being in place.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
V/Line has confirmed the damage was discovered at 4am on Saturday with another similar incident taking place recently.
Benambra MLA Bill Tilley has questioned the security measures in place for trains stationed in Albury overnight and V/Line staff working on the them.
“It is a Victorian asset,” he said.
“We park it in Albury and the other important thing is to make sure the staff who provide the service are safe when they go to their cars late at night.
“CCTV isn't going to stop crime, but at least it can keep an eye on things and discourage people from doing those sorts of things.
“It is a NSW train station and I am not across the security measures in place, but the Victorian Government funds the station to sell V/Line tickets.”
An improved CCTV security system was announced in 2016 and would be monitored remotely 24/7 when installed, according to a media release from Albury MLA Greg Aplin.
Mr Aplin was contacted for comment.
A similar graffiti attack took place on a V/Line train at the Albury station last year and in 2015.
A V/Line spokesperson said: “It’s extremely frustrating for us and our passengers when a train or carriage has to be taken out of service to be repaired or cleaned due to vandalism and this type of reckless behaviour won’t be tolerated.
“Entering a rail reserve is not only extremely dangerous but also illegal so V/Line will work closely with NSW Police to find those responsible for this graffiti attack.
“These carriages belong to the Victorian public.
“They deserve to be respected and not treated like a personal blank canvas.
“To avoid disruption to passengers, V/Line kept the carriage in service to enable it to reach Melbourne, where it will be cleaned and the graffiti will be removed.”
NSW Train Link undertakes security patrols at the Albury station and graffiti removal costs V/Line thousands of dollars each year.
Albury police are aware of the vandalism and hope to view CCTV footage in coming days.
Mr Tilley said the Coalition’s transport policy would go a long way towards ending the woes on the North-East line which had close to 40 trains cancelled between Christmas and New Year.
“We have a significant announcement to make before the electon,” he said.
‘Hopefully it will be announced sooner rather than later.”
V/Line urges anyone with information about the graffiti incident or noticed any suspicious behaviour to contact NSW Police or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
