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Rail Enthusiast Permits

Connex welcomes the interest of rail enthusiasts and has introduced a new permit system to allow them to photograph trains from our stations.

This system represents a compromise between the need for enthusiasts to pursue their hobby in an easy manner, while allowing Connex to exercise some control over photography at and around train stations.

Effectively, the new system allows an amateur photographer to apply for a three-month Rail Enthusiasts Photography Permit - Suburban Stations which will allow him or her to take photographs of trains at any Connex station.

However, the permit does not apply at a number of nominated major stations. These stations are: Flinders Street, North Melbourne, Richmond, South Yarra, Caulfield, Camberwell, Footscray, Clifton Hill, Box Hill, Dandenong and Ringwood.

Please note that Connex has no authority over photography at Spencer Street Station. Photography requests should be directed to the Spencer Street Station Authority on (03) 9619 1600.

A specific permit is required for each station with this Rail Enthusiasts Photography Permit - Major Stations valid for one week at a time.

Scroll down for PDF versions of the permit applications, which include the terms and conditions for each.

For further information, please call Andrea Schade on (03) 9610 2610.


How is security at your stations enhanced by these regulations?

There is no way we can stop a determined individual from getting around these regulations, either by posing as a rail enthusiast, using a mobile phone camera or otherwise taking photographs surreptitiously.

However, by making photography a controlled activity, we make it something that stands out for our staff and our customers.

Our objective is to create a situation in which someone taking photographs is noticed, remembered and reported.

Our staff are aware that anyone taking a photograph needs a permit so they will approach that person and ask to see it.

This creates a situation in which the photographer has to interact with our staff (in addition to the requirement that he or she 'sign-on' when arriving at the station).

It increases the likelihood that the person will be remembered. A staff member may also suspect that someone is only posing as a rail enthusiast, based on their actions or a conversation when the permit is being checked. (Our staff meet a lot of rail enthusiasts and have a good chance of detecting a fraud.)

Using a mobile phone camera or otherwise taking photographs surreptitiously obviously makes it harder to take the photos and take them in such a way that they provide useful information.

Again, our objective is to make it a little harder and increase, even slightly, the opportunity for this person to be noticed, remembered and reported.

We feel the new permit system strikes a good balance between the needs of rail enthusiasts and our need to set a minimum level of security.

Why do rail enthusiast have to apply for a specific permit for major stations which is only valid for one week?

Major stations are key locations on the rail network, where two or more train lines meet and which are used by many passengers.

On that basis, we feel they require a higher level of security with greater control of amateur photography at these locations.

Why is there an outright ban on photography at Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament?

As busy, underground stations, passed by virtually every train that runs on the network, these stations require some unique security measures.

This is the basis for the ban on photography at these stations.

Greg B wrote:Regardless of what we may think about the position, at least Connex has clearly defined it.

Benjamin Franklin wrote:
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security

avkomp wrote:this begs the question
that if city rail, westfield dont have this written anywhere and someone takes photos and gets nabbed by their bully boys, what offence if any are they guilty of commiting?

Steve

sirhc55 wrote:Placing a security system in your car will stop yobs, but not a REAL thief. Protect your home but it will not stop a REAL burglar. Having rules and regulations will NOT STOP a terrorist, ever

kipper wrote:Greg, there was a comment in the newspaper about 2-3 months ago about a young boy who was with his young father. His son was a train enthusiast and was taking photos at either Flinders or Spencers, security approached them and told them to stop because it's a security issue or something like that. I meant to post it at the time but I forgot.