Initiative to tackle behaviour on buses

Paignton bus station where anti-social behaviour has been reported

Anti-social behaviour by pupils on buses, at bus stops and bus stations is being tackled by a bus company and a local charity.

Volunteers from Torbay United in Devon will be on hand to ensure that students from Churston Ferrers Grammar School "have a smooth and safe boarding process at the end of the school day", said the Safer Travel Partnership.

School bus journeys will be "safer and more welcoming" for pupils with less overcrowding and more buses, said the partnership, which consists of the charity group and bus firm Stagecoach.

Stagecoach has increased the number of buses on the route from Churston to Paignton, the partnership added in a statement.

'Less overcrowding'

And there is a stationary bus at the end of the school day for students at Churston to take the first 90 students which "ensures there is less overcrowding at the stop", it said.

"By working hand in hand, we can effectively reduce instances of anti-social behaviour on public transport and at bus stations," it said.

The bus station at Paignton was among those "in particular" where anti-social behaviour had been reported.

Athena Harper, team leader for the Schools Support Network at Torbay United, said: "By coming together with Stagecoach and local schools, we are not only addressing immediate concerns but also laying the foundation for a more positive and respectful community."

James Simpson, head teacher at Churston, said the "culture of care and responsibility shown by the volunteers working on this project is a fantastic example to young people in the bay".