TfN report highlights how perception of safety influences use of public transport
Residents across the North of England are altering how they use public transport because of personal safety concerns, according to a new report published by Transport for the North (TfN).
image: TfN
The Safety and Public Transport in the North report is based on extensive research, including seven focus groups and an online survey of more than 900 people from a range of social and economic backgrounds.
Drawing on this new data and insight from Northern residents, the report highlights how perceptions and experiences of personal safety are influencing behaviour and access to public transport. It explores how safe people feel when using public transport, the perceptions that shape those feelings, and the steps being taken to create safer, more inclusive networks.
It is, says Transport for the North, the first time it has directly researched personal safety and public transport – a topic of clear relevance to the North’s strategic aims and objectives, particularly tackling transport-related social exclusion.
TfN points out that although personal safety on public transport is a well-researched area more broadly, there are notable evidence gaps with good quality qualitative data at both the local and pan-regional level.
The report says “Related issues frequently appear in the media and go on to frame national discourse, reinforcing the importance of developing a robust evidence base that reflects the lived experience of Northern residents. This research was designed to help address those gaps and establish a clearer picture of how safe the North’s public transport network feels, which local policymakers can use to identify and adapt effective safety measures drawn from elsewhere.”
The report identifies a number of consistent patterns and concerns, including:
Personal safety concerns influence whether, when, and how residents travel.
Perceptions of safety – often shaped by media and second-hand accounts – can outweigh personal experience.
Women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ and disabled passengers face a disproportionate burden in staying safe.
Feelings of safety decline sharply after dark, especially during the “first and last mile” of journeys.
Low levels of incident reporting suggest limited confidence in issues being resolved.
Trains are generally seen as safer than buses.
Respondents strongly support improvements to staffing, CCTV, lighting, reporting mechanisms and safe travel planning. However, they are clear these should be funded by government or operators, not through higher fares or local taxes.
Katie Day, Deputy Chief Executive of Transport for the North, said. “This research shines a light on the real-life concerns of people across the North when it comes to personal safety on public transport. While most journeys are incident-free, perceptions of risk are shaping decisions, with some people avoiding buses, trains or trams altogether. This not only affects individuals’ quality of life but can also deepen transport-related social exclusion.
“Everyone should feel confident using public transport, whatever the time of day and whatever their background.”