Keolis

Safety and security issues are addressed in many forms:

• safety of passengers within the vehicle and accident prevention
• safety from exterior influences, prevention and repression of disruptive behaviour, and/or control of access to vehicles
• security of property and vehicles.

Specialist expertise

The Keolis safety and security department has set up a network across its subsidiaries to examine safety and security issues which arise, spread knowledge of current legislation and apply the group security policy or change the measures used if they are deemed insufficient.

Safety specialists from Keolis' light rail department also advise authorities on safety issues and implement programmes aimed at increased safety on and around its light rail systems.

The group deploys considerable resources around its safety and security objectives.

Security:

• Mediation agents deployed on the ground to ensure that order is kept in sensitive areas and on trains and buses;
• Visits to schools to explain the importance of civil and lawful behaviour on public transport – this is also key to Keolis' integration commitments to the community;
• Working in close cooperation with the local police to identify potential sources of trouble;
• Revenue protection officers who inspect the validity of tickets and who in some areas are given 'special constable' status with the right of arrest;
• GPS positioning on vehicles and alert systems allowing drivers to set off an alarm at the network control centre if an incident occurs in their vehicle;
• Surveillance of depots and vehicles, physical presence to deter potential vandals, and direct intervention if they are caught in the act (Keolis Swedish subsidiary Commuter Security Group is a specialist in the field).

Safety:

• drivers trained to cope with all situations,
• the use of simulators on some rail networks
• a zero alcohol policy for drivers and the testing of breathalyser-equipped buses which do not start if alcohol is detected
• making vehicles as visible as possible for other road users. For example, as part of the refit of the Melbourne tram fleet, doors are painted yellow and steps are highlighted with fluorescent strips.
• Advice and recommendations on road signalling around priority transport lanes such as tram lines and bus lanes