West Midlands Buses Coordinate Safety Awareness Push

Police officer proposes safety stickers on West Midlands buses to display reporting numbers

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West Midlands Buses Face Safety Sticker Push

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Bus riders across the West Midlands could soon see safety awareness stickers on every seat if a police officer's proposal gains traction. Paula Shortland, Violence Against Women and Girls champion for the Safer Travel Partnership, is advocating for the placement of reporting information on all buses operating in the region. The stickers would display "Empower" and "SeeSay 81018" on alternate seats to help passengers report anti-social behaviour, though some bus operators have resisted the initiative.

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The initiative addresses growing concerns about passenger safety on public transport across the region. Shortland, a West Midlands Police education officer, believes the stickers represent an "easy solution" to raise awareness about available reporting mechanisms. The West Midlands region has hundreds of different bus companies operating services, making coordinated safety initiatives challenging to implement. The SeeSay 81018 number is specifically designed for reporting non-emergency anti-social behaviour on buses, providing passengers with a discreet way to alert authorities.

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Shortland attempted to implement the stickers previously, but bus companies refused to allow them on seat backs. Some operators have expressed concerns that the stickers might alarm passengers rather than reassure them, according to the officer. Officials haven't specified which bus companies have resisted the proposal or provided detailed reasoning for their opposition. The stickers would alternate between displaying "Empower" and the "SeeSay 81018" reporting number, though specific design details or dimensions weren't available.

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Shortland hopes that upcoming franchising changes with a new mayor will provide more opportunities for implementation. Officials haven't announced a specific timeline for when the franchising changes will take effect or how they might impact the sticker initiative. The officer said the transition could create a window for establishing new safety standards across the region's bus network.

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Riders who witness anti-social behaviour on buses can currently text SeeSay 81018 to report incidents. The initiative is part of a broader campaign to improve passenger safety across the public transport network. Moovit provides real-time bus information and service updates for West Midlands routes, helping riders plan safer journeys throughout the region.