DART PASSENGERS ARE now able to report anti-social or suspicious behaviour via text message.

The new service, flagged back in June, has now been launched.

Members of the public can text the word TRAIN followed by their location, carriage number if possible, and details of the incident in question to 51444. Texts will be charged at standard network rates.

The message will alert the Dart security centre, which will then make contact with security teams, Iarnród Éireann staff, and/or gardaí as needed.

Customers will receive an automated response to confirm that their message has been received. The text alert system is due to be extended to Dublin commuter routes in the coming weeks.

Irish Rail is also increasing security patrols, installing new CCTV, increasing cooperation with gardaí and recruiting a senior security specialist in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour. 

Just over 800 incidents of such behaviour, including 14 assaults on staff members, were reported to Irish Rail last year – up from 705 in 2017. 

There have been 635 incidents, including six assaults on employees, to date in 2019. The reported incidents include vandalism, intimidation and theft.

“While the overwhelming majority of journeys occur without incident, we have been experiencing an increase in anti-social behaviour incidents, so are determined to take the necessary measures to reverse this trend,” spokesperson Barry Kenny previously said of the service.