More than a dozen unsolved incidents on public transport are being targeted in a police probe into a string of alleged crimes involving vulnerable passengers.
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Investigators have released a series of images of people they are looking for as officers try to find those responsible for reported assaults and other incidents from the past year.
Fifteen incidents are being investigated by NSW Police under Operation Waratah, which was set up earlier in July to target people involved in alleged crimes on buses and trains.
Members of the public had been left with serious physical and emotional injuries in attacks and other crimes across the transport network, Superintendent Andrew Evans said in a statement on Tuesday.
"These offenders are targeting some of our most vulnerable passengers thinking that they can get away with it," he said.
"The goal of Operation Waratah is to find these offenders and charge them in order to make their victims feel safe again using Sydney's extensive public transport."
More than 2000 incidents of assault or sexual offences were recorded on public transport networks statewide in the year to March, according to NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data.
A man and a woman were being sought over the alleged assault of a man at Bondi Junction station in the most recent incident under investigation, from March.
A reported assault at Revesby station in February involved a man allegedly pushing a woman out of a lift, as well as kicking and hitting her in the face.
Another purported assault, at Fairfield in July 2023, involved a woman allegedly being shoved towards train tracks by a man who pulled her hair and punched her in the face.
A man allegedly smashed a glass bottle over a teenager's head before assaulting other people on a train passing Werrington station in February.
Another man allegedly rubbed himself against a woman after inappropriately touching her feet and back without consent at Westmead station the same month.
In January, a woman was allegedly groped at Edmondson Park, while a man was allegedly assaulted on a train between Ashfield and Strathfield stations by another man who racially abused him multiple times.
A bus driver was allegedly punched in the face at Winston Hills, while his vehicle was moving, by a man who then fled the bus in another incident the same month.
In December, another man allegedly punched a driver in the back of the head as they inspected their bus at Miranda.
The Transport Workers Union of NSW welcomed the police operation, adding that attacks on bus drivers highlighted ongoing safety risks that were contributing to a staff shortage.
"Violence against public transport workers is unacceptable and it's imperative stronger safety measures are implemented and drivers are provided the necessary support to ensure their wellbeing," state secretary Richard Olsen said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Australian Associated Press
