Train graffiti 'to go in 24 hours'
June 29, 2004

THE NSW Government will push to have all graffiti on trains removed within 24 hours, to deprive vandals of a "perverse pleasure" in exhibiting their work.

NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa today unveiled a series of measures aimed at tackling graffiti and improving train cleanliness, including a new chemical agent that can fully remove paint and ink from train interiors with a simple wipe.

Mr Costa said the year's end objective was to have all graffiti removed within 24 hours.

"(This will) remove the pleasure that these perverted people are involved in," Mr Costa said.

"They get some sort of perverse pleasure out of seeing their tag on trains.

"If we can remove their tags as quickly as possible they tend to go elsewhere."

The government also announced the future recruitment of 50 new mobile cleaners, who will use SMS messaging to coordinate the clean-up of trouble spots.

Seven new "gumbuster" machines that will remove chewing gum from station platforms will also be bought.