Fine Gael says anti-social behaviour on public transport is a "huge and ongoing problem", as 721 incidents have been recorded on the Luas so far this year.
59 incidents of graffiti were reported, with the total cost of vandalism amounting to over 130 thousand euro.
The cost included cleaning of graffiti, as well as replacement of broken windows, doors, passenger seats and windscreens.
The figures were provided to Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell, who describes the trend as a "major issue", which is not confined to just one mode of public transport.
He adds that 211 Dart carriages were vandalised this year, costing over 500 thousand euro.
Bus Éireann also recorded 80 incidents in the first nine months of this year.
Use the #Luas Security Text Service to report incidents of anti-social behaviour to us. Text the word 'LUAS' followed by the tram no. (displayed inside each tram and on the front of trams) and location with a brief description to 51444. See https://t.co/jSXEo9SXy8 info. pic.twitter.com/jjnKUBH9DF
— Luas (@Luas) December 19, 2021
Deputy Farrell says more needs to be done to ensure people feel safer:
"My ongoing ask of the Garda Commissioner is to establish a Garda public transport unit."
"It wouldn't need to operate 24 hours a day, but would need to be available to patrol the buses, trains and trams in our cities."
