Borders Buses has worked with Police Scotland and Scottish Borders Council to launch a They’re someone’s… campaign, which has been created to tackle antisocial behaviour and protect bus drivers and other frontline transport staff.
The operator notes that while antisocial behaviour on buses in the Borders region remains relatively low compared to some other areas, all three partners are clear that it is not limited to young people making use of Scotland’s free bus travel for the under-22s. Instead, it occurs across all age groups and incidents typically increase during the festive season.
Work on the initiative follows new Scottish Government legislation, due to come into effect in 2026, which will allow transport operators and local authorities to temporarily suspend or block access to free travel for individuals of any age who engage in serious or repeated antisocial behaviour or misuse their free bus travel.
The tripartite campaign in the Borders aims to challenge perceptions around who engages in antisocial behaviour, highlight the impact it has on staff, and reinforce a zero-tolerance stance. Antisocial behaviour on buses has been under the political microscope in Scotland for some time.
They’re someone’s… will run across Borders Buses services, interchanges, community venues, social media and regional media channels. The operator describes it as underscoring the partnership between each party involved “and their shared commitment to ensuring a safe, respectful and welcoming transport network.”
To humanise that message, five Borders Buses employees – drivers Stevie Cooper, Kevin McMinn and Ally Reid, and Customer Service Advisors Susan Glennie and Hannah Scott – feature prominently, sharing snapshots of their lives as parents, partners, grandparents, and valued community members.
Borders Buses Communications Director Sharon Morrison notes that “even one instance of abuse towards our staff is one too many.”
She continues: “Antisocial behaviour is not confined to one age group; it affects everyone. This campaign puts a human face on our frontline teams and, crucially, reflects the strength of the partnership working between Borders Buses, Scottish Borders Council, and Police Scotland.
“By working together, and taking a united zero-tolerance approach, we are sending a very clear message that our staff and passengers will be protected. Where offences occur, we will fully support efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible.”
Police Scotland Inspector Rory Caverhill says that the force fully understands the concerns of transport workers and the public around antisocial behaviour.
“While incidents in the Borders are lower than in other areas, this partnership is extremely important to help us work together to tackle antisocial behaviour and keep our community safe,” Insp Caverhill notes.
“We will continue to take all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and take robust action where necessary.”
