Women and girls' safety on public transport

Overview

Following an announcement in February 2022 by the Minister for Transport, Transport Scotland carried out a programme of research on women and girls’ safety on public transport. This included a large qualitative study with women and girls using public transport as we well as transport workers. The results and recommendations from this research, published in March 2023, coincided with a parliamentary debate on the eve of International Women’s Day 2023. Further research on safety apps and stakeholder engagement was also published as part of the work programme. This page pulls together the links to these reports alongside other safety related information for ferry, rail and bus. The Scottish Government also has a dedicated policy area to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, information on which is included below. 

Next steps to ensure a safer public transport system for women and girls in Scotland - Workshop - December 2023

In December 2023 the Cabinet Secretary for Transport attended a workshop to discuss the recommendations from the research undertaken on women and girls’ safety on public transport. Forty stakeholders from over 30 organisations including British Transport Police, Trade Unions, Transport Providers and youth and women’s organisations participated. The event took place as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and produced co-designed principles intended to improve collaboration between key stakeholders to improve safety for women and girls on public transport . A summary report of the meeting was published in April 2024.

“There’s an app for that!”

In May 2023, Transport Scotland published a report detailing work done to address one of the research recommendations to raise awareness of available to technology assist on public transport to explore whether and to what extent it might be an avenue to improve safety.

Transport Scotland Public Attitudes Survey

Throughout 2022 data was gathered on experiences of safety when using public transport via Waves 22, 23 and 24 of the Transport Scotland Public Attitudes Survey.

Information about Transport

Rail

ScotRail, Network Rail and British Transport Police are working together with stakeholders to deliver activities to reduce anti-social behaviours and maximise safety for all passengers and staff. British Transport Police’s “Text 61016” service allows all passengers to discreetly report any incidents they witness on trains or at stations in real time directly to BTP. ScotRail also employs a “Travel Safe Team”, who will be present at major stations and on trains. They work closely with British Transport Police can assist in supporting the security of both staff and passengers across the rail system.  

Ferries

Both CalMac and NorthLink ferry operators continue to be staffed by onboard crew and shore staff at ports and are available to passengers to report incidents, or if they feel in a vulnerable position. Security personnel are also deployed where necessary i.e. on the Northern Isles vessels, and on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service Gourock-Dunoon, given this operates late at night.

Bus

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling antisocial behaviour on the bus network and is working closely with the bus industry to develop further preventative measures and deterrents. Anyone witnessing incidents of antisocial behaviour is encouraged to report this behaviour to the bus operator and the local council’s Antisocial Behaviour Team and to report all criminal behaviour to the police. If you require emergency assistance, call 999.

Equally Safe Strategy

The Scottish Government’s Equally Safe Strategy and Equally Safe Delivery Plan are aimed at preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls and are focused on early intervention, prevention and support. It recognises that violence against women occurs in the virtual and physical world, and in private and public places, including the transport network. The Scottish Government supports a wide range of policies to tackle violence against women and girls. Additional resources are on Striving for a safer Scotland.

Further information

In addition to government resources, the strutsafe service was set up to offer support to women and girls feeling unsafe whilst walking home alone. They have a UK-wide phone line details of which can be found at their website. Strut Safe was the winner of the 2023 Young Scot Community Award.