That’s according to a new report by the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV) into passenger feelings about public transport.
More than 900 people responded to the six-week public transport safety survey, conducted face-to-face and online.
The survey revealed that most respondents felt unsafe traveling at night, particularly by bus (63.47%). Those fears were greater among women.
According to one participant: “As a female travelling alone at night, I don’t feel safe as I believe I would be an easy target, especially as there are less people around and not many staff if any at the stations.”
Passengers frequently experienced or witnessed ASB on buses and trains as well as at stations and stops. Physical assault and sexual harassment were also common incidents, often carried out by those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to passengers.
More than half of participants did not report incidents – but they did want tougher action to deal with them. Among the measures, which the public want to see, are:
- More staff to help passengers, monitor conduct, and intervene in incidents when necessary;
- Stricter policies to remove people, whose behaviour is inappropriate, from transport locations;
- Tougher penalties for ASB to deter incidents in future;
- More information on how taxis are licensed and how to report incidents;
- Better surveillance including more CCTV and body-worn cameras for staff.
CURV wanted to find out about the public’s experiences on public transport across Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.
They wanted to understand how people use public transport, their experiences of using it and how they would like to see safety improved.
Feedback from the survey will inform delivery of the new Town Centre Violence Reduction Action Plan.
CURV is currently working on the plan, which aims to help create safe and thriving town centres for visitors to enjoy and where businesses can succeed.
Central to this plan is increasing safety around the transport, which provides access to town centres.
