Annex A

Stakeholder presentations: ‘What’s working well’?

Engender summarised findings from five research events across Scotland in summer 2023, which were held as part of the Equally Safe strategy. Results included evidence of women and girls avoiding public transport due to issues such as limited space for buggies and safety concerns.

SEStran presented plans for further developing MaaS (Mobility as a service) in 2024, as well as app-based solutions to booking and planning journeys. (GoSEStran) to include push notifications about delayed journeys. Work with East Lothian Council on Demand Responsive Transport is also ongoing.

Rail Delivery Group highlighted a ‘Zero tolerance’ campaign, launched at Waterloo station in April 2023. This includes posters and a film that encourages reporting and disruption of sexual harassment by sharing different scenarios of women’s experiences on trains.

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) shared results from a survey of Scotrail female staff undertaken in November 2023 which found that 1 in 3 had been sexually harassed in the last year. 80% of those did not report incidents due to feeling that it would not be taken seriously. More than half reported witnessing sexual harassment.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) outlined activity on this issue, including utilisation of the 10 recommendations as a basis for discussion internally. Actions being taken forward include increased staffing levels, for example on weekend nights, and an accessibility audit across the SPT estate. SPT have also introduced a bus to take staff home safely at night.

Edinburgh City Council talked about the launch of a new campaign #respectherspace after a consultation with women and girls across Edinburgh. The campaign addresses men’s behaviour towards women, deliberately not including any messaging that implies women are responsible for their own safety.

British Transport Police: 130,000 people have downloaded the BTP Railway Guardian App. Other initiatives around alerting staff to concerns for personal safety are in development. This includes use of a code word, which would result in a person being accompanied to another carriage to make them feel safer. BTP officers also receive (VAWG) specific training.

Tactran are exploring additional safety options as part of a MaaS project, including driver checking and identity confirmation, route deviation alerts, an attack alarm feature, and possible police response request.

Nestran are funding a number of improvements to the footways and cycle infrastructure including resurfacing, widening and inclusion of solar powered lighting.

The Poverty Alliance have conducted research with people on lower incomes to understand the barriers they face to using public transport. They have also worked with the Fair Fares Review team and the Just Transition team at Transport Scotland to help shape the recommendations emerging from these work streams.