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Compared to 38 revoked passes in 2023, TravelSafe support and enforcement officers have withdrawn 197 passes by July 1 this year.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 per cent were confiscated from young passengers, who depend on travel schemes such as Our Pass, igo cards and other concessionary travel for everyday mobility and social interaction. The number of exclusion notices issued this year is nearing the 52 notices distributed last year, with 48 notices issued so far.
These notices can act as the precursor to stricter penalties, including police action and criminal behaviour orders. Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: "All customers and staff are entitled to be safe and feel safe when travelling on or working on public transport, and our commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour head-on is absolute. "The overwhelming majority of young people who travel by bus, tram or train do so with respect for other passengers and staff.
"We know that getting around on public transport is hugely important for them, especially in the summer and throughout the year as they attend school, college or work. "But it is important that people are aware that this privilege can be lost by the minority who persistently engage in antisocial behaviour, and this could have a real impact on their lives. "I urge everyone to take pride in the Bee Network and respect fellow passengers and our hardworking staff.
" Concessionary travel passes can be immediately withdrawn for a criminal offence or repeated antisocial behaviour. This withdrawal persists for a minimum of a year. Parents then receive a letter from the TravelSafe Partnership explaining why their child's pass has been confiscated.
An exclusion notice can also lead to a loss of the right to access the public transport network, and any individual found using the network after the issue of these notices will be trespassing..
