Greater Manchester’s dedicated Bus Watch Specials, who have been tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on the bus network for over two years, are expanding and will now also cover the region’s growing Metrolink network.
Established in April 2009, the Bus Watch Specials scheme is a successful public-private partnership between Greater Manchester Police, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and bus operators, Stagecoach Manchester and First in Manchester.
Since its inception, the initiative has reduced crime and anti-social behaviour across the region’s bus network as well as providing a reassuring uniformed presence on passenger services and at bus stations.
Now, under the new name Greater Manchester Travel Safe Scheme, the initiative has expanded to include Metrolink services, with new recruits from operator, Metrolink by RATP Dev Limited, bringing the number of Special Constables up from nine to 12.
Councillor Mark Aldred, Chair of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub-committee, said:
“While public transport generally provides safe environments, the safety and security of passengers is one of our top priorities, as our involvement in the Greater Manchester Travel Safe Scheme shows.
“The Specials have played an active role in helping passengers feel safer on the bus network as well as reducing crimes such as ticket fraud and criminal damage, so I am delighted to see the scheme now including Metrolink.”
Elisabeth Tasker, Operations Director at Stagecoach Manchester, said:
“We have been involved with the scheme for two years and are extremely pleased with the results so far. Travelling by bus in Manchester is safe and the increase in police presence on vehicles provides extra confidence to both passengers and drivers.”
Ken Poole, Service Delivery Director for First in Manchester, said:
“We appreciate the efforts made by our partners in the transport authority and the police to tackle anti-social behaviour on our buses. By working in partnership we can make a real difference to the safety and security of passengers.”
Philip Purdy, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said:
“The Bus Watch Specials have proved to be a very successful initiative over the past few years and I am very pleased the scheme has now expanded to include Metrolink services.”
