Bee Network TravelSafe LiveChat reaches 500 reports milestone

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network TravelSafe LiveChat is celebrating a significant milestone after reaching 500 reports since launching.

The service provides a tool for passengers across the bus and tram networks to report concerns while travelling in a fast and discreet way. The LiveChat in the Bee Network app connects the public to GMP call-handlers, allowing them to report anti-social behaviour, suspicious activity, welfare concerns or criminality without drawing attention.

This milestone also highlights the vital role of officers on the ground. Reports received through LiveChat have led to swift interventions, arrests and enforcement, ensuring offenders are identified and brought to justice on Greater Manchester’s transport network.

Success also demonstrates the strength of the partnership between Greater Manchester Police and Transport for Greater Manchester, which is made possible through close, day?to?day collaboration between both organisations. This strong relationship ensures concerns are acted on quickly and consistently, reinforcing public confidence across the Bee Network.

Reaching this latest milestone for the Bee Network comes ahead of changes to free bus passes for older and disabled people. Following trials in August and November, bus pass holders will be able to use Bee Network buses for free at all times of the day from 1st March – prior to this, free travel was restricted to after 9.30am.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“This is an important milestone for TravelSafe LiveChat as it shows that our pioneering, integrated approach to policing public transport is working. We are giving passengers the confidence to report their concerns, safe in the knowledge that they will be discreetly connected to a real person within seconds.

“TravelSafe LiveChat is just the first phase of this new approach. We will continue to grow the partnership and work together to reassure people travelling or working on the Bee Network that we will act swiftly to deter and tackle unwanted behaviours head on.”

Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, said:

“The safety of everyone who travels or works on the Bee Network is our number one priority, and TravelSafe LiveChat helps reinforce our zero-tolerance approach to criminal and antisocial behaviour on our buses, trams, and at our stations, stops and interchanges. 

 “We will continue to work closely with our partners at GMP to improve TravelSafe LiveChat and provide a more visible, reassuring presence out on the Bee Network.”