PLANS TO use new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour on the buses have been proposed – and the public are being asked to have their say.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is looking to adopt new bus byelaws which would give Safer Travel teams and police officers greater powers to deal with low level nuisance on buses, at bus shelters and in bus stations.
TfWM claims since 2006 crime and anti-social behaviour has reduced by more than 60 per cent thanks to the work of the Safer Travel Partnership between TfWM, West Midlands Police and British Transport Police.
According to research by campaign group Transport Focus, there would be 11.5 per cent more journeys by public transport if people felt safer.
TfWM say the byelaws would give officers greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour including smoking and vaping, vandalising property, playing loud music and threatening or offensive behaviour.
Passengers and residents have between now and March 29 to ask questions and comment on the proposals.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “Research shows that anti-social behaviour can undermine feelings of safety and security for passengers and lead to a greater fear of crime.
“That is a real shame which is why these bus bylaws are part of our wider plans to tackle the problem.
“We know nuisance behaviour is something that many passengers feel strongly about so I would encourage people to take this opportunity to have their say and tell us what they think.
“No one who travels by bus should have to put up with nuisance behaviour and we want to everything we can to stamp it out.”
As well as online consultation a series of public consultation events have been organised to allow residents and passengers to discuss the plans with staff.
An event will also be held on March 18 at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre from 3pm to 6pm.
An event will be held on February 13 at Pool Meadow Bus Station on Fairfax Street in Coventry from 3pm to 6pm.
Full details and surveys are available on the TfWM website https://www.tfwm.org.uk/busbyelaws
