Bus and coach industry launches landmark charter to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls, and calls for national system to report harassment and anti-social behaviour

October 19 2026

• Operators representing 90% of buses on UK roads sign new industry charter committing to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) and anti-social behaviour (ASB)
• Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) calls on Government to introduce a national reporting mechanism, allowing passengers to report incidents discreetly and in real time

The bus and coach industry will tomorrow (20 October) launch a major new charter to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) and anti-social behaviour (ASB) on public transport, alongside a call for Government to introduce a national system allowing passengers to report incidents in real time.

The initiatives, which will be unveiled by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) at a Parliamentary reception in Westminster, represent a significant industry-wide commitment to making bus and coach travel safer for passengers and staff.

Operators collectively responsible for 90% of buses on UK roads, alongside major scheduled coach operators and smaller independent businesses, have already signed up to the new charter, pledging to take meaningful action to prevent unacceptable behaviour and ensure incidents are taken seriously.

Under the charter, operators commit to strengthening staff training, improving communication with passengers about safety and reporting procedures, maximising the effectiveness of CCTV, and working closely with police, local authorities and other agencies to tackle incidents.

Signatories will also collect and share data on incidents, helping to identify hotspots, target interventions and spread best practice across the industry.

Alongside the charter, CPT is calling on the Department for Transport to establish a national reporting mechanism that would be delivered locally, giving passengers across the country a simple, consistent way to report harassment, threatening behaviour and other incidents while travelling.

The recently strengthened powers for local authorities to make byelaws to tackle anti-social behaviour are welcome, but they need to be backed by a mechanism for reporting and enforcement. Currently, reporting arrangements vary across the country, leaving passengers uncertain about where to turn or how to seek help when they experience or witness unacceptable behaviour.

CPT's proposal would enable local transport authorities to introduce a consistent live reporting service, integrated with local police forces and transport control rooms. Passengers would be able to report incidents discreetly through a digital platform, share information and photographs, and receive assistance where appropriate.

The proposal builds on an existing approach in Greater Manchester, where Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police have worked together to introduce live digital reporting.

Rather than establishing an expensive new national contact centre, CPT is proposing a practical, relatively low-cost framework that would allow local partnerships to build on existing police and transport infrastructure, supported by common national standards and Government funding.

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:

"Everyone deserves to feel safe when they travel, and nobody should have to put up with harassment, intimidation or anti-social behaviour on public transport.

"Today's charter represents a major commitment from the bus and coach industry to tackling these issues head-on. With operators representing 90% of Britain's buses already signed up, we're sending a clear message that unacceptable behaviour has no place on our services.

"But operators cannot tackle this challenge alone. Passengers need to know that if something happens, they can report it quickly, discreetly and with confidence that it will be taken seriously.

"That's why we're calling on Government to introduce a national reporting framework, building on successful initiatives already operating locally. This is a practical solution that would help police and transport authorities respond more effectively, identify problem areas and ultimately make journeys safer for everyone."

The charter builds on CPT's wider work to improve passenger and driver safety, including the launch of an industry driver training programme earlier this year, designed to help bus and coach drivers recognise and respond appropriately to incidents of VAWG and ASB.

CPT is now urging Government to work with the industry, local transport authorities and police forces to develop the national reporting framework, ensuring that passengers can benefit from consistent reporting arrangements wherever they travel.

Buses and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, said:

"Everyone should be able to travel with confidence and feel safe on public transport, and I welcome industry taking this step to make journeys safer for all.”

"We've committed to halving violence against women and girls, including tackling abuse on public transport, exploring options for a single national reporting mechanism for quick, easy reporting, and have given local authorities new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour on buses.”