By SCOTT MacLEOD
Tranz Metro is removing the walls from nine of its 40 Auckland train shelters as part of its plan to fight graffiti, assaults on people and other murky goings-on.
The rail operator plans to replace the walls - possibly with clear plastic ones. But until this happens, commuters are
being left exposed to the elements.
Tranz Metro spokesperson Sue Foley said the walls started coming off last week after a survey of 400 passengers found they were worried about their "personal security" while sitting in shelters.
The roofs would stay.
Last month two people were attacked in train shelters on the Waitakere line. Tranz Metro said one of the shelters was at Sunnyvale.
Sue Foley said there had also been cases of vandalism, people using shelters as toilets and other trouble. Tranz Metro hoped improved visibility would help stop the problems.
About 9.7 per cent of Auckland train passengers will be affected by the work. Auckland Regional Council figures show that 2.3 million trips were made on Auckland trains in the year to June 30, last year. Based on those figures, the missing walls will affect 4300 trips a week.
Five of the shelters are on the line to Henderson and four on the line to Papakura.
Tranz Metro will meet contractors today to decide what to do with the shelters. One option is to replace the walls with see-through plastic. It is yet to be decided when the walls will be replaced.
Commuters at two Western Springs shelters were divided about the missing walls yesterday.
Mount Albert Grammar student Lance Baker said seats in the tiny shelters would be soaked by rain. But Auckland University student Gareth Clayton said: "The front bit is normally open anyway, and you've got to check before you sit down to make sure it's not re-painted or graffitied."
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