Transport bosses bid to ban thugs
GREATER Manchester could become the first transport network outside London with the power to ban thugs from boarding trams and buses.
New figures show there were nearly 4,000 acts of vandalism or abuse on Metrolink and buses run by Stagecoach and First last year.
That’s the most on record – and nearly double the recorded incidents in 2013/14.
This year the trouble has continued with the £23,000 vandalism of Wythenshawe Interchange and several homophobic and racist incidents on the trams.
To tackle the growing problem in the region, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working with police to petition the government for the power to ban repeat offenders from all transport. The case has already been approved by the Home Office – but needs a final green light from the Home Secretary.
The plan for drastic action is included in a paper to be discussed by councillors today.
It also outlines plans to boost the Travel Safe Partnership – a squad of security officers and police tasked with reducing antisocial behaviour.
The unit, which also supports major events and operations to target fare dodgers, will have its ranks bolstered by new operator KeolisAmey, which takes over in July. There will also be greater emphasis on analysing crime patterns and gathering intelligence.
John Fryer, TfGM’s safer travel manager, said: “The fear of crime and antisocial behaviour is a key factor that can influence a person’s decision whether or not to use public transport, so tackling this issue is a clear strategic priority for us, the operators and police.”
He said they wanted passengers to be safe and feel safe and that the collaborate work of the Travel Safe Partnership would help them build better intelligence for targeted operations.
Mr Fryer added with around 37 million Metrolink and 206 million bus journeys made in Greater Manchester in 2016, the chance of falling foul of an incident is ‘extremely rare’ – and passenger safety is at the heart of what they do.
If TfGM is granted the powers to ban repeat offenders, it will be responsible for TfGMowned property – including Metrolink, bus stations and the Leigh Guided Busway.