DART to launch text alert system to address antisocial behaviour

It comes into effect from July onwards.

Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) services will introduce a commuter text alert system in order to tackle anti-social behaviour. The new method will commence from early July, providing customers with a discreet means of reporting any issues that they may witness or directly experience while on board. The service will be live-monitored during all operational hours by a central security monitoring hub, who will liaise with staff and security teams to ensure that issues are responded to. Cost of using the system will be a standard text rate for customers. While final costs are yet to be established, the expected cost per annum to Iarnród Éireann is predicted to be in excess of €100,000. Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny confirmed that additional security will be put in place in a bid to curb negative incidents. "We have increased the number of security patrols as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour issues, and have been liaising with Gardaí both to proactively plan initiatives and resources and in developing protocols for response to incidents," said Kenny. "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," he added.