Personal safety concerns influencing travel choices

Residents across the North of England are altering how, when and if they use public transport because of personal safety concerns, according to a new report by Transport for the North (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. It highlights how perceptions and experiences of personal safety are influencing behaviour and access to public transport.

The report finds that perceptions of safety – often shaped by media and second-hand accounts – can outweigh personal experience. It also shows that 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, the report suggests.

What's more, low levels of incident reporting suggest limited confidence in issues being resolved.

Respondents strongly supported improvements to staffing, CCTV, lighting, reporting mechanisms and safe travel planning. However, they were 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.”

The findings underline the importance of embedding safety considerations into transport planning and investment. TfN will continue working with combined authorities and local transport authorities, as well as regional and national partners, to share evidence, provide tools through the TfN Offer, to make the case for investment and change that enables safer and more inclusive journeys.