Rail safety gets a good rap with Right Track

A hip hop track and music video written and recorded by young Aboriginal women urging their peers to “just show a little respect” on the bus and train network was launched today as part of the Public Transport Authority’s Right Track program.

A collaboration between rail safety program Right Track, the Cecil Andrews Girls Academy, and Reach 1 Teach 1, the project engaged a group of Armadale teens in a five-week music program with Perth rapper DJ Trooth.

The students were given the opportunity to build their musical skills, write and record a hip hop track, and storyboard, film and act in a professional-quality music video.

PTA spokesman David Hynes said the track built on Right Track’s aim of fostering respect between young passengers and transit officers on the public transport network.

“This pilot project is a continuation of Right Track’s existing hip hop program, which was created with one of PTA’s transit officers, Lawrence Hoxey,” Mr Hynes said.

“An artist in his own right, Lawrence has seen how music can bridge the gap between young people and our security staff, which is a major goal of Right Track.

“It’s a two-way street for us – building respect and positive relationships between our young passengers and our staff is a win for everyone on the Transperth network.”

Girls Academy group leader Tara Morrison said the program had had a noticeable effect on the students, particularly how often they went to school.

“The program’s impact on attendance was great,” she said. “One of the students was on 25 to 30 per cent attendance last term and she’s now on 72 per cent.

“I think hip hop works because it’s out there in society, you see it on TV and the kids feel they can relate and better express how they feel through hip hop rather than just speaking with somebody.”

For more information about the Right Track program, click here. To view the video, click here.

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