The NSW Police Transport Command is officially operational and committed to making the state’s transport network as safe as possible.

The NSW Government has officially launched the police take-over of commuter safety for NSW’s public transport networks.

The new command commenced operations yesterday (Tuesday 1 May 2012) after months of planning and development by Field Operations, in consultation with Region Commands.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the new command will provide an increased police presence on all transport networks throughout the state.

"The Police Transport Command will be responsible for safety and reducing crime on the state’s rail, bus and ferry networks," Commissioner Scipione said.

"We have been working with Transport NSW and RailCorp, State Buses and Ferries, as well as the Police Association to synchronise our objectives and to provide greater coordination of resources and the ability to execute well-planned, targeted operations to have a significant impact on crime.

"The people of NSW deserve the safest transport network in the world, and today, the Police Transport Command is operational and working toward that goal," Commissioner Scipione said.

Officers will be based in three primary Metropolitan hubs in central, south-west and north-west Sydney and seven satellite hubs, including the Hunter, Central Coast and Illawarra regions.

Acting Police Transport Commander Max Mitchell said the location of Command officers addressed emerging crime trends and changing demographics.

"Through strategic planning and development, the Command has already identified priority issues and areas," said Acting Assistant Commissioner Mitchell.

"We are planning operations based on crime linkages and trends which most impact a safe and secure transport network.

"The Command will continue to support Local Area Commands and specialist operations where the transport network may be affected.

"The most important goal of the Police Transport Command will be to reduce crime and the fear of crime, by detecting and prosecuting offenders and enhancing our service to the NSW community," Acting Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.

The Police Transport Command is currently staffed by more than 300 officers from local commuter crime units, with a target to double the command strength to 610 police officers by December 2014.

Transit officers will still target fare evasion and minor offences, but they will now patrol buses and ferries as well as trains.

The Police Transport Command is also on Facebook – follow the team making your transport networks safer – www.facebook.com/transportcommandnswpf [1]