Antisocial behaviour affecting buses in Stockbridge Village in Liverpool has been the subject of a meeting between operator Arriva Merseyside and MP Anneliese Midgley after part of the area saw its service suspended in the evening.
That step was taken following what Arriva says were “a number of incidents that posed a serious safety risk to both customers and drivers.” The operator notes that such decisions are only made where clear and immediate danger exists.
It adds that the discussion with Ms Midgley was constructive and that the two parties will continue to communicate about any further incidents or operational changes. Arriva is also working with partners including Merseyside Police, local authority representatives and TravelSafe teams to monitor the position.
Local reports state that it temporarily withdrew routes 12 and 13 after 1800hrs in one part of Stockbridge Village after missiles were thrown at vehicles and abuse was directed at drivers. Knowsley Council has said that the services have since been reinstated.
Arriva North Area Director Richard Hoare acknowledges the importance of bus services operating as scheduled but adds that the safety of customers and drivers is the operator’s top priority. “Antisocial behaviour of this nature is a criminal matter and requires enforcement action from the appropriate authorities,” he continues.
“While Arriva will always play its part in reporting incidents and supporting partnership work, we do not have enforcement powers. So whenever there is a serious risk to safety, we will take swift action to protect our customers and colleagues, and that means we must temporarily withdraw service to a part of a route.”
Ms Midgley describes the discussion with Arriva Merseyside as “frank and constructive” and says that her twin priorities are keeping bus services running and maintaining driver and passenger safety amid “out-of-control antisocial behaviour problems causing misery for everyone involved.”
Continues Ms Midgley: “It is completely unacceptable that bus drivers are facing threats to their safety every night, but withdrawal of services has such an impact on residents. Every measure must be taken to keep these buses running at the same time as maintaining safety.”
