NEW measures to combat Òanti social behaviourÓ on BordonÕs rail-link bus have been announced at a local rail users group.
The move will also target vandalism at local railway stations and on trains.
Brian Keefe, chairman of the Portsmouth to Waterloo Rail Users Group, told a meeting of the group last week that he had long been concerned for the safety of rail users.
There had been several serious incidents on the Portsmouth to Waterloo line recently which had been of concern Dr Keefe.
The Bordon rail-link bus, linking the townÕs rail users to Liphook Railway Station, has also suffered from vandalism.
These include a back window being smashed and the hand brake being removed in separate incidents.
Problems on the bus have increased since the operating hours of the bus were extended until late to accommodate these people wishing to remain in Portsmouth and Guildford for a longer period of time
But now, Dr Keefe told the meeting, South West Trains and British Transport Police have acted in a bid to make travelling safer.
He reported that a Òmobile teamÓ of eight Òtravel safeÓ officers, trained by the British Transport Police, would be operating on the line as well as looking after the rail-link bus.
They could be rushed quickly to likely trouble areas where they would supplement rail police, the chairman said.
ÒThis is a new and extremely good measure,Ó Dr Keefe said.
He added that closed circuit television was being introduced at railway stations along the line, including Liphook, and special constables were being recruited to the rail police.
New trains which were due to be introduced in 2004 would all have closed circuit television fitted, said Dr Keefe.