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.
For more than a year Foundation 92, formed by the Class of 92 and official charity partner of Salford City FC, has been deploying across the network in support of the TravelSafe Partnership.
Foundation 92 had been 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.
But due to high demand for Foundation 92’s services, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now secured a decommissioned Stagecoach bus which has been given a makeover to serve as the charity’s new expanded mobile youth zone.
The 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.
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.”
