TravelSafe Inaugural Conference
27 May 2004
Attacks, vandalism and general anti social behaviour against Translink staff, passengers and property are among the items to be discussed today (27 May), during the Inaugural TravelSafe conference in Belfast.
Chaired by former Acting Assistant Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, Peter Whent, the conference will give Translink, the PSNI and the Community Safety Unit, NIO, the opportunity to plan and work together to provide better, safer public transport services.
Ahead of opening the conference Translink Chairman Dr Joan Smyth CBE said, “There are many issues of concern with regard to delivering a safe and effective public transport system. This event is an excellent opportunity to identify and understand many of the problems facing Transport Policing and to establish and develop relationships at all levels.”
Keith Moffatt, Translink Chief Executive added “We have a very exciting Corporate Plan for the future development and growth of public transport in Northern Ireland which is compatible with the vision set out in the Regional Transportation Strategy. In delivering this plan, safety of our passengers and staff remains our absolute priority.”
“Feelings of insecurity are increasingly affecting our society as a whole, including public transport. Surveys show that personal security is the main barrier against travelling by public transport.”
“Our success in delivering a modern and sustainable public transport system for Northern Ireland, is dependent on a partnership approach between Translink, the PSNI, Government, the Road Service, and other stakeholders represented at today’s conference.
“Last year, Translink suffered over 7,000 incidents across the Northern Ireland bus and rail network, including assaults on staff and passengers, vandalism, stone throwing and civil unrest. These incidents cost over £7 million in damage repairs, revenue loss because of interrupted services, insurance claims and additional staff cover. Money, which should have been reinvested in the company to further improve our services.
“However the impact on staff morale and public confidence is just as serious as any financial implication. It is critical therefore that we continue to maximise our efforts and work in partnership to find effective solutions to resolve any difficulties, develop and then enforce ‘best-practice’ transport policing models.
“In recent years we have invested heavily in our station facilities, so it is essential they are maintained to a high standard, and kept free from vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.” Mr Moffatt said.
“In addition to our efforts to improve safety for staff and passengers, we must also work to enable our services to operate efficiently and effectively. In conjunction with Road Service we want to establish more effective bus priority measures. Enforcement of bus lanes and prevention of parking in bus stops is key to making these effective”
Deputy Chief Constable, Paul Leighton, highlighted the recent successful joint PSNI and Translink initiative to operate safe family trains to Portrush on Easter Monday, as an example of what can be achieved by adopting a coordinated approach.
“The PSNI is delighted to support today’s initiative. Attacks on public transport have been well documented over recent times and there is much that can be learned from Peter Whent of the British Transport Police. The PSNI will endeavour to employ any good practice initiatives which will eliminate attacks and vandalism on public transport ”
Conal Devitt from the Community Safety Unit explained that it was widely accepted that improvements in community safety couldn’t be delivered by one agency acting in isolation.
Mr Devitt said, “Community Safety Partnerships are being established in each district council area of Northern Ireland and through these inter-agency bodies a strategic approach is being developed to provide local solutions to local problems.
“Local Community Safety Co-ordinators are well represented here today and they will find the debate and the outcomes of the conference extremely valuable as they develop local Audits for their areas aimed at producing local action plans. I am sure that what follows today will provide food for thought in the development of a corporate and joined-up approach to meeting the community safety needs of local people.”
Mr Moffatt concluded by saying,”Todays conference will enable us to break down the barriers to travel caused by feelings of insecurity, and establish a framework of how we can deliver a safe, efficient and effective public transport system which is accessible to all.”
Ends.
For further press information contact Sarah Stanczyk Public Relations Officer 028 90 899 455
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