Former Stagecoach bus transformed as part of efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport

A former commercial bus has been given a new lease of life to support a pioneering partnership aimed at tackling youth-related antisocial behaviour on public transport in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has secured a decommissioned Stagecoach bus which has been given a makeover to serve as a new expanded mobile youth zone.

Local charity, Foundation 92 had been previously using a minibus complete with a TV and games console to provide young people with a somewhere to meet and socialise away from transport interchanges and tram stops in support of the TravelSafe Partnership. The new bus, which has been funded through the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund following a joint bid by TfGM and British Transport Police (BTP), has been fitted out with an interactive games space, table sports, refreshments and a relaxation area. It will also have the capability for virtual reality (VR) software.

The bus was formally launched last week during Greater Manchester Police’s Operation AVRO, a two-day crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour on the public transport network.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

“Foundation 92 and their hardworking team have become a crucial part of the TravelSafe Partnership, engaging with around 2,000 young people in communities across our region.

“They have been so effective that often their mobile youth hub has become overwhelmed with the level of interest shown by young people, so I am delighted that the TravelSafe Partnership has come together to secure funding for this new bus. My thanks to Stagecoach and all TravelSafe Partners for making it happen.

“This will help increase Foundation 92’s capacity to provide a safe space for young people, some of whom are vulnerable, to socialise away from our public transport facilities and explore how they can play a full and constructive role in the creation of the Bee Network.

“This is all part of our wide-ranging strategy to ensure everyone using public transport and active travel facilities are, and feel, safe when moving around.”

Since joining the TravelSafe Partnership, Foundation 92 has deployed their mobile hub 153 times at key locations across the public transport network, engaging with 2,200 young people. Tom Hutton, Head of Foundation 92, said:

“We’re delighted to be further extending our work with TfGM through the F92 mobile youth zone. The impact the mobile zone has made so far has been outstanding and I’m looking forward to supporting more young people through the additional youth zone across the transport network. I’d like to thank TfGM for their continued support.”

This latest bus to have been donated to Foundation 92 had previously operated in and around Ashton-under-Lyne providing transport for customers on Stagecoach services travelling to and from Denton, Hyde, Stockport and Manchester city centre amongst other routes.

Rebecca Rathore, Operations Director at Stagecoach Manchester said,

“Stagecoach has a proud history of supporting the communities we serve. Having been a partner of TravelSafe since its inception in 2015, we are pleased to collaborate with them and TfGM in supporting Foundation 92 in this project which is making a significant difference in the lives of young people, our customers, and our local communities.

“Our donation of a bus will enable Foundation 92, to build on the success of the work that they have been doing and engage with even more young people to talk to them about positive behaviour on public transport and provide a much-needed space for them to hang out.”