Police and travel officials undertaking a random check on a Blackpool Transport bus.

Labour Working to End Bad Behaviour on The Bus

March 2007
Public transport troublemakers have been warned that they could be caught out next time they play the fool now that behavior on buses is being closely monitored by Bsafe Blackpool!

Last year, Blackpool’s Labour Council joined forces with the Safer Travel Unit alongside the Police and Blackpool Transport with funding from Bsafe Blackpool, to tackle bad behaviour on public transport. 

The campaign began with the Safer Travel Unit and members of the Police force boarding both school and commercial buses in Blackpool to carry out the first of many random spot checks to address any instances of bad behaviour.

Checks are undertaken in partnership with schools, Lancashire Constabulary and Blackpool Transport to deter and detect crime, vandalism, graffiti and anti-social behaviour on buses and they have already made significant improvements to the safety and security of the bus network.

In just over one hour, 15 people were ejected from the buses for anti-social behaviour, such as smoking, riding on a child bus pass when over the stated age and failing to pay for a ticket. They were then escorted to a nearby police van to be dealt with by officers.

Much of the Safer Travel Unit’s efforts are concentrated on school buses with the intention of educating future generations about Safer Travel so they accept it as part of good citizenship.

New technologies are also making this easier, thanks to the installation of video cameras on school buses recording anti-social behaviour on board. Depending on the severity, all incidents will result in disciplinary action, either suspension or a visit from local police.

The partnership with the police and local schools is working well, and many head teachers have welcomed the idea of Safer Travel as a way to promote good citizenship. The education package delivered by the Safer Travel Unit includes awareness programmes, understanding reporting procedures and delivering acceptable behaviour contracts, allowing children to understand and use public transport safely and responsibly.

Whilst most passengers are perfectly responsible on board, it appears that a minority spoil the experience for the rest. The intention of the campaign is to keep watch and end bad behaviour to ensure the majority of good, law abiding citizens feel safe, reassured and confident when traveling under these tighter controls.