Transport safety officers (TSOs) will be deployed across the bus network in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority area.
The scheme, a partnership between BCP Council and Morebus, is being made possible via £480,000 in funding handed to the council as one of four areas to pilot the government’s Antisocial Behaviour Action Plan.
Following issues raised in the area in recent months, the specially trained officers will work with Dorset Police to deal with anti-social behaviour on bus services and interchanges
They will react to information received from Morebus staff and members of the public, who can alert the officers via a special number.
Richard Wade, General Manager at Morebus, says: “Bus travel is for everyone and a real opportunity for people to contribute positively to issues around the environment and congestion.
“The vast majority of our existing customers are really nice people, and we want to welcome more and more. A small element need a little reminder how to behave around others and we’ve listened to feedback which tells us a few have some concerns around this.
“The Transport Safety Officers are a great addition to help tackle this.
“Our drivers are our eyes and ears and are already feeding information to TSOs with when and where they can be most effective. The information we can all share will only get better as time goes on.”
In addition to the TSO scheme, more than 200 bus shelters in the area will be upgraded with CCTV.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, adds: “Safety on public transport will be greatly enhanced with the Transport Safety Officers travelling on and around our bus network, engaging people and helping deal with any incidents of antisocial behaviour.
“We want everyone who travels on public transport to feel safe, and we rely on members of the public and bus drivers to report any incidents of antisocial behaviour to ensure our Transport Safety Officers are targeting the correct routes…
“Having this level of security, particularly at Poole Bus Station which has been impacted by recent incidents of antisocial behaviour, will help make the network safer and make people accountable for their actions.”
The other areas to benefit from the £2.5 million pilot funding are Lancashire, Stoke on Trent and Thurrock.
