By KATH GANNAWAY
MORE than 30 glass bus shelters have been smashed in the past nine months along the Warburton and Maroondah highways at a cost of up to $45,000.
While the cost of repairing the shelters is borne by Adshel which supplies and maintains the shelters, the impact on commuters and the image that the high-visibility vandalism presents to tourists has Mail readers asking what can be done to stop it, and whether glass shelters are even viable.
Coldstream business owner Mario Galteri called for witnesses when new, and long awaited, bus shelters were smashed at around midnight on 12 September saying the shelters were only days old.
“This is happening all over the place, and there has to be a better type of glass to use. They (Adshel) need to change their technology and come up with a solution that stops the glass from shattering,” he said.
He said one of the reasons put forward for using glass was the visibility and security of people waiting at the stops.
“It looks great, but there has to be a better type of glass,” he said.
Another local business operator told the Mail it was great to see them go in, but the benefit was short lived.
“They were smashed within a week, and I think it has become a bit of a challenge to the people doing it,” said Candice Bruggink.
Ms Bruggink said the number of shelters being vandalised also raised concerns about safety around broken glass with children being the majority of travellers.
“It’s a real shame because for the couple of days they were there we had bad weather and they were quite well used.
“They become an eyesore when they’re damaged and even when they are cleaned up quickly they are left looking a bit like a murder scene with the red safety tape,” she said.
The situation was the same on the Warburton Highway with bus shelters targeted within a short time of being erected, and smashed again within days of being repaired.
A spokesman for Adshel said the company used toughened glass to minimise danger to people and had a 24-hour response time for cleaning up damaged shelters from the time they are notified. He said they aim for next day repair depending on availability of glass and their workload, or if they are advised to hold off on replacing glass.
“Adshel works closely with councils, police and the community to implement joint initatives to combat the recurring issue of vandalism,” he said, adding that the help of the community in reporting damage as soon as they see it was vital.
The 24-hour Adshel hotline is 1800 501 402.
Facebook feedback: HAVE any bus shelters been vandalised in your area?
Megan Rostron: All smashed from @ least Wesburn to lilydale. Why these type of glass shelters?
Not 1st time smashed… who pays for this?
Leon Wyzenbeek: Have you seen a bus shelter intact?
Sue Hoffman: I’ve passed three between Warburton and Woori Yallock this week. What genius decided that glass shelters were a good idea?
Gayle Taylor: Swansea Rd seems a major hit area and they return again and again.
Liz Coupar: I’ve seen heaps, all on the Warby Hwy.
Linda Jakobs: I have seen a lot, all over the valley and one that was completely smashed!
Gail Suridge: Cnr Albert and Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.
Christine Dimmock: Woori Yallock and Wesburn.
Bronwyn Grass: Woori Yallock and Wandin on the weekend.
