Unveiling The Shadows On Melbourne’s Public Transport Network

The bustling city of Melbourne is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse population. But beneath the surface lies a network of stories that often lingers in the shadows. Commuters, particularly women, fear for their safety on Melbourne’s public transport network.

The number 86 tram to RMIT Bundoora (Credit: Sebastian Qin on Unsplash)

For many commuters, the public transport journey brings a sense of anticipation and comfort, for the routine with which they've grown familiar too. Simultaneously, it can bring a subtle unease or a nagging consciousness for the vulnerabilities ahead. 

Passengers and staff are becoming increasingly fearful amidst a surge in violent incidents on Melbourne’s public transport.

In 2024, figures show that at least one commuter and one staff member are being assaulted every day on trains.

The Department of Transport website states that from January to September 2023, 719 people were assaulted across the Melbourne train network. 

The number 86 tram begins at RMIT, Plenty Road Bundoora and the last stop is the Waterfront City Docklands. 

As you walk on to the tram a man's scream shatters the usual hum of conversation and the sombre sight of a homeless person sleeping against the windows paints a sharp contrast to the growing tension inside the tram walls.

In January 2019, exchange student Aiia Mararwe was raped and murdered, when she got off at Stop 61 on the number 86 tram route near Bundoora Park. "Instead of coming home with a diploma, she is coming back in a coffin,” her father said to The Age.

It has been over five years since the murder of Aiia Mararwe. Anna Campo, a Bundoora resident, says “we are horrified that our community was home to a tram that failed her”.

“That day, the community froze together, it's all anyone could think about."

Despite five years having passed since Mararwe’s death, Campo says "the 86 tram is still notorious for being unsafe, and residents are calling for change,” highlighting the lack of progress and the community’s ongoing demand for safety reforms. 

Chris Lowe, the Executive Director of Bus Association Victoria, says that the amount of security across the transport network is “woefully inadequate”.

“Authorised officers don't actually ride on the bus network on the routes where the incidents occur, and that's disappointing,” he said.

The frequency and severity of these assaults have taken a toll on public transport staff. 

The Bus Association has installed screens inside buses across most routes in Metropolitan Melbourne to protect drivers from violence.

However, Lowe said “it's never enough and there's always more that can be done”.

Isabella Webb a PhD Candidate, Spatial, Designer & Research Assistant in the Monash University XYX Lab—which explores gender-sensitive design practices and theory—says that women's experiences on public transport are “often impaired by their fear of safety” which “can really limit women's participation in public environments”. 

“Cities that are designed better for women are inherently better designed for everyone,” she said

But amidst the concerns and challenges, there are glimmers of hope. 

Ms Webb believes that there is an increased appetite for gender sensitive approaches. 

The XYX Lab is working alongside Hassell, an international studio to work towards a safer public transport system by designing improved “spaces for women”. 

At the same time, lived experiences reveal why such improvements are necessary.

Catherine Ford published an opinion piece in 2019 for The Age on the ‘despair, hatred and fear’ she felt as a woman on the tram route 57. She published it in an attempt to raise awareness for the vulnerabilities that commuters face, and to appeal for safety to be safeguarded by policymakers. 

Now in 2025, Ford continues to feel “vulnerable as a woman” on Melbourne's transport network. 

“For the expense of the tram ticket, I think we deserve something a little better,” she said

Ms Ford fears that she can not appeal for help when drivers are protected behind screens. Although, she said sometimes “it’s not all bad”. 

Recently when Ms Ford was on a bus, a man was threatening and screaming at passengers. 

“Everybody just sort of froze.”

But then the driver asked the passenger to get off the bus.

“The entire bus erupted into applause," she said.

“Sometimes people talk to each other or there is a smile exchanged”, Ms Ford says “it really is a social experiment” . 

Melbourne's train network is more than just a means of transport. It's supposed to be a  lifeline that connects communities and facilitates the flow of daily life. Although too often a regular commute exposes women in particular to violence.