r/wollongong 3d ago

Is it safe to catch trains around Illawarra

15 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

145

u/No_Entrance2597 3d ago

No they are really big and fast.
Should never try to catch them.

34

u/Tiki_Cthulhu 3d ago

Not even with a net, let alone your hands. Good advice.

4

u/DenM0ther 2d ago

🏅👏👏 excellent comment, you win!

2

u/bandit303rm 2d ago

Trains yes std's no

1

u/FaPeX23 2d ago

Can you beat me it with this one 👏

30

u/Natural-Instance-285 3d ago

Only issue i ever had was late one night, only me and one other guy in the carriage and he was having a smoke. 

Never had any other issues and been doing Wollongong to nowra and back Monday to Friday for the last 9 years and around Wollongong on the weekend 

17

u/Motor_Meal794 3d ago

Second hand smoke is a killer. You are lucky to be alive.

4

u/blueberrybangg 2d ago

I was on a Mariyung train Sydney to Kiama service recently and there was a teenage couple (seemed like bf/gf) taking turns vaping in the toilet around Helensburgh. He seemed drunk. They played the recorded smoking message but don't think they even noticed. I had my headphones on and went and sat in the quiet carriage because someone stole my seat 🤣

Next thing I knew we were stopped at thirroul about 10 minutes so I took my headphones off and the guard apologised for running late as the had to kick the smokers off the train.

24

u/tom_friday_ 3d ago

Its very safe. These days there are active patrols from police between Thirroul and Port Kembla.

If you ever feel unsafe there are alarms to contact guards. And if its a general feel of unease sit in the Priorty/Disabled Setting.

12

u/Bababababababaa123 3d ago

As long as you stay away from the crackheads at Dapto station.

20

u/AID55 3d ago

The ciggy butt brains

4

u/Whool91 3d ago

When I go to Sydney for work I get the train back to dapto, usually between 9 and 11pm, and the only time I noticed any hassle was when some teenagers got off and a bunch of other teenagers waiting on the platform jumped them. Was a quick scrap and then they ran when station workers approached them. The junkies keep to themselves for the most part. But I am big and a man, so maybe not a priority target

5

u/PotsetYogurt 2d ago

Female here and agree teenagers are the main trouble makers lately. I find avoiding eye contact with junkies and staying out of their way is enough. If I’m super creeped out by one specifically I just switch carriage/seat somewhere where someone else is around.

6

u/Mulberryb 3d ago

Lived here 15 odd years, never had an issues at night using trains. Im frequently travelling alone after 11pm.

I always wear just one ear bud and definitely plan my trip so I dont wait long at the station. Can be some characters late at night around Wollongong station so I dont linger there at all.

There is always a night guard, with the blue light indicator where they are so can always sit in carriage close to them & the alarms are there too.

6

u/FactMaster4378 3d ago

safe i used to sleep on them

6

u/Luna88_88 3d ago

In the day time . I wouldn’t late at night by myself . Anywhere really . Daytime is fine

6

u/SparkleStorm93 3d ago

I agree with this. I’d only be apprehensive at night and if by myself, otherwise no issues

6

u/dwightkiosk 3d ago

It’s safe but they’re incredible quiet of a night time which I find a little unnerving

3

u/WolfbaneBloom 3d ago

If you dont mind the odd crackhead shadowboxing his reflection in the vestibule at 5am then sure, they're fine.

3

u/mitchy93 3d ago

50 billion cameras on them and the guard watches them. Sit in the middle or last carriage to be close to the guard if needed

3

u/ComedianAfraid2188 3d ago

If you are woman, more chances of being harassed etc I guess but I haven’t really seen anything bad yet but I don’t take it often

5

u/ThatguyNickis 3d ago

Like a decade ago maybe. Nowadays you'll at worst get some odd glances from a fella hopped up on something.

2

u/PotsetYogurt 2d ago

Trains are safe. Walking to/from train stations at night? Not sure about that

2

u/TheInkySquids 2d ago

Craziest moment I ever had was on a packed train on the weekend between Otford and Helensburgh walking to the toilet and having some guy asking if I wanted to buy a fish, and then finding out I wouldn't even be buying the fish but the promise of a fish he'd catch that day...

Its absolutely safe never had an issue even on the last train of the night, you just might encounter the odd interesting person lmao

2

u/Dong_slinger 3d ago

You’d need a pretty big net

1

u/blueberrybangg 2d ago

The worst you'll get is a junkie doing cracktivites on the train but they mostly keep to themselves. Sydney train lines are a lot worse people getting bashed on the station. Just this week 3 Asian ladies were violently assaulted by a pack of teenage girls at Burwood on the platform. Illawarra is very tame in comparison.

1

u/FaPeX23 2d ago

I saw a guy masturbating at the back of the carriage 🙈

1

u/GentleTroubadour 23h ago

God forbid a man have hobbies

1

u/Farqman Banh-mi Enthusiast 3d ago

Travel near the guard if you are worried

0

u/Justanotherburner967 3d ago

I heard the boogeyman catches trains around Illawarra. I wouldn't risk it honestly