TravelSafe Partnership marks 50th lockdown day of action

The TravelSafe Partnership has marked its 50th ‘day of action’ by clamping down on people making non-essential journeys on public transport.  

Current restrictions mean people should only be travelling for essential reasons and proactive customer-facing operations are continuing to take place to keep passengers safe and ensure people are complying with current guidelines.  

Approximately 300 train and tram passengers at Manchester Victoria – one of the region’s key transport hubs – were asked what their reason was for travelling during a high-profile operation on Wednesday (February 17).  

As a result of the operation, around 15 people were refused travel, including one person who was planning to make a non-essential trip to Birmingham.

The partnership also handed out 500 face coverings to passengers during the event.  

The latest day of action followed the recent announcement that passenger safety on the region’s buses, trains and trams has been boosted by the expansion of the TSP, with rail operator Northern becoming the latest organisation to join after the recent addition of bus operators Diamond, Go North West and Arriva. 

By expanding to include more operators, the partnership not only significantly increases the amount of intelligence available but also widens the scope of resources, tactics and capabilities available to prevent and problem solve. 

Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, Bev Hughes, said: “I want to thank the vast majority of the general public who continue to follow the guidance – although I also urge people, please to travel on our transport network only if it is essential. 

“I also want to thank the TravelSafe Partnership staff who have been working hard to keep the public safe on the transport system across Greater Manchester throughout the pandemic.”   

Alex Cropper, TfGM’s interim Head of Operations, said: “As a partnership we have all been working extremely hard since the outbreak of the virus to help people travel safely – and these high-profile operations are one key part of that. 

“To have now held 50 partnership days of action is testament to our collective and continued commitment.

"Not only do they enable us to provide help and advice for those who need it, it ensures we can effectively target and challenge those flouting the rules and the feedback we’ve received from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.” 

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “It’s pleasing to see that the 50 partnership days of action, which have been undertaken to help passengers travel safely, have had a positive effect and have been well received by the public.  

“We are grateful to those people that are continuing to play their part in keeping public transport safe by following the guidelines, and we will be working alongside TFGM and the wider partnership to ensure this continues." 

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit: www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter. 

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.