More CCTV, better roadside infrastructure and clear messaging and campaigns were highlighted as ways to address the issue of violence against women and girls (VaWG) on buses at the 2026 CPT Conference.
The discussion came as CPT says 72% of women are concerned about sexual harassment on public transport while over half of girls and young women aged 11-21 say they do not feel safe using public transport on their own.
When asked what the industry should be doing about it, panellists noted that while there is now a focus on training through the Bus Services Act in England passed in October 2025, making stops feel safer, clear messaging around how to address harassment, reporting when criminals are prosecuted, and more accountability through CCTV, are efforts the industry can make.
Carolyn Quainton, Founder and Director of training consultancy Understood, notes that it is vital operators do not see the introduction of mandatory training as “box-ticking”, but should form a wider cultural shift, with male leaders making a fundamental difference.
When it comes to clear messaging, panellists suggest initiatives such as clear signage warning that certain behaviour is unacceptable, and a consistent approach to how victims can report harassment across the UK bus network. There should be clear signage informing passengers how they can report a crime.
“There is a heavy weight placed on those who are experiencing sexual harassment,” says Lyndsey Dearlove, Global Director of Operations at the No More Foundation. “Everyone [at the conference] has an incredible opportunity; the reinforcing of that message starts the disclosure process.”
Women in Bus and Coach board member Tom Cunnington warns of potential loss of tens of thousands of public transport journeys if the issue is not addressed. “If women don’t feel safe on bus networks, they will make other choices,” he says.
“We need to drive home that we are making our services as inclusive as we can. Training is part of it, but only effective if it is part of wider cultural change.”
