Personal Safety and Public Transport

At A Fleet for Change, we consider safety to be absolutely paramount and it’s a key part of our proposition. We probably don’t need to explain why but, in case you were wondering, here’s some key stats from the Department of Transport’s National Travel Attitudes Study Wave 8, published 17 August 2023. We think you’ll agree that some of these stats are eye-opening and show just how important a focus on safety is. 

34% of public transport users say they have witnessed assault or harassment (37% of males and 31% of females)

19% report having actually been assaulted or harassed  (22% of males and 17% of females) 

63% of females and 34% of males say they avoid travelling alone when it is dark

“I let other people know my plans” is a safety precaution that has been taken at least once by 62% of females when using public transport. 

60% of females who have felt unsafe rate poor lighting as a factor that makes them feel less safe when walking to a bus or rail stop.

Safer Travel

Our demand-responsive transport (DRT) will be a game-changer for safer travel: 

Control over pick-up and drop-off points

No need to walk down an isolated street to a dark bus stop. With DRT, you can be picked up near friends and safe, well-lit locations, and avoid areas that make you uncomfortable. You won’t have to worry about walking alone at night from a bus stop to get back home.

Real-time tracking

You can track your bus in real-time, knowing exactly when it will arrive and where it is at all times, so you can stay inside until the transport has nearly arrived. This is so much safer, particularly at night.

Smaller, more intimate settings

DRT buses are often smaller than traditional buses, which means fewer passengers and a more personalised experience, with a much lower likelihood of harassment or intimidation.

Driver accountability

With DRT, you can rate your driver and provide feedback, which holds them accountable for their behaviour and service. 

Additional safety features

We will be working closely with customers to develop services and app features that will keep people even safer.

Poor transport safety limits lives

Poor transport services can seriously limit or even endanger people’s lives, and we see the impact on people’s feelings and actions (e.g. forgoing nights out with friends), and the effect on communities and the economy. We want to give people back their confidence and sense of security when using shared transportation, so that they can live their lives to the fullest.

If you want to help us provide safer transport for everyone, then please Support Us or Get Involved.