New figures have revealed the rate at which crime is steadily rising on transport networks nationwide.
Police data released to 1News under the Official Information Act shows an increase of crime on transport and at transport hubs over the last year.
The numbers show reported crimes against victims – whether in transit or at a transport terminal – increased by 6% between 2023 and 2024.
That’s a total of 3277 offences last year, including acts intended to cause injury, burglary and theft.
Crimes that didn’t involve a victim also increased by 14% between years – for example: Dangerous or negligent acts, illicit drug offences, property damage and public order offences.
The crime figures coincided with increased patronage. Public transport use in Auckland was currently at its highest in five years, just shy of the peak before the Covid-19 pandemic. In the year 2023/24, public transport trips in Auckland increased by 22%, from 71 million trips in 2022/23 to 87 million trips.
However, Auckland City Acting District Commander Inspector Grae Anderson, said: “It’s fair to say we have noticed some slight increases with incidents in and around public transport networks.”
The figures showed transport-related crime in Wellington remained steady over the past two years but increased in both Christchurch and Auckland.
“What we’ve seen in the last few years has been horrible,” Auckland Transport’s public transport director Stacey Van Der Putten told 1News.
However, she added the situation was “improving”, citing the ongoing rollout of bus driver safety screens and the presence of transport officers — frontline staff to maintain public safety and prevent fare dodging across buses, trains and ferries.
In a statement, Transport Minister Chris Bishop told 1News $15m in refocused funding from Budget 2024 was going toward improving public transport safety, particularly for drivers.
“Later this year, other regions will be able to seek support to install driver safety screens through a second funding round.
“Law changes are also currently going through Parliament to add a new aggravating factor for anyone who commits an offence against a public transport passenger service worker. This is intended to send a strong message that offenses against public transport workers will not be tolerated.”
