A Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) campaign is encouraging young people to consider the consequences of engaging in antisocial behaviour on public transport. The 'Don’t Get Ghosted' campaign endeavours to raise awareness of the potential loss of travel privileges and the impact of antisocial behaviour. The campaign urges young people to consider how they may be left behind, or 'ghosted', if they can’t use public transport and socialise with their peers.
Data revealed by TfGM revealed that almost 250 people have had their right to travel revoked since the beginning of 2024, with a significant proportion of these being young individuals who lost access to transport schemes like OurPass. The rate of travel pass withdrawals this year is six times higher than those revoked in 2023. Young residents of Greater Manchester are being cautioned that continual antisocial behaviours while using the network could lead to a travel ban or the loss of travel privileges.
Antisocial activities include vaping, vandalism, littering, playing loud music, activating emergency door handles on trams and unruly behaviour in groups. Such conduct can gradually veer into more hazardous acts, including throwing objects at vehicles. This can pose a serious risk to the safety of passengers and drivers and may prompt services to reroute or withdraw.
Compared to 38 revoked passes in 2023, TravelSafe support and enforcement officers have withdrawn 197 passes by July 1 this year. Of these, around 90 p.