Bus drivers given women’s safety training with researcher’s help

Stagecoach South Wales with some of the partners

Bus drivers in south Wales have been trained about women’s safety, thanks to a partnership between an Aberystwyth University researcher, Stagecoach and Welsh Women’s Aid.

In Wales, 12% of women report feeling ‘very unsafe’ using public transport, and twice as many women as men state they do not use public transport for fear of their safety - a statistic that prompted Stagecoach South Wales to roll out tailored women’s safety training to all their drivers.

The training programme is part of a research project funded by The Waterloo Foundation and Health and Care Research Wales looking at how women define safety while using public transport.

Dr Lucy Baker from Aberystwyth University ran workshops and held interviews with women in Wales to capture their lived experiences. The training covered topics such as indicators of domestic abuse, victim-blaming and how to report safeguarding issues.

Dr Lucy Baker, Aberystwyth University, said:

“It's very positive to see a collaboration between researchers, a charity and a transport company to make transport safer for women and girls.

“It’s good to see Stagecoach providing training specifically on women's safety for drivers; it is one of the first bus companies to do so. This type of work is very important and is key to ensuring both passengers and staff are cared for.”

Mark Tunstall, Operations Director at Stagecoach South Wales, said:

“We’re thrilled to be working with Welsh Women’s Aid and Aberystwyth University to deliver such important training.

“We want to ensure that everyone who travels on a Stagecoach bus feels safe and welcomed. Delivering this training is the next step in developing our training offering to ensure our drivers have the skills they need to best serve all our customers.”

Sara Kirkpatrick, CEO at Welsh Women's Aid, said:

“WWA is delighted to be collaborating with a forward thinking company like Stagecoach, by providing this training to their drivers they are choosing to be part of the solution, contributing to change that lasts for everyone.”

Welsh Women’s Aid offer Live Fear Free, a confidential, independent helpline that is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for advice and support. Anyone can call 0808 80 10 800, text 07860077333 or email info@ livefearfreehelpline.wales.

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