Stagecoach East drivers are stepping up to make a difference in the fight against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), with their buses now places of refuge for anyone feeling unsafe.
Since October, the company has partnered with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Police Authority and the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Centre as part of the Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) scheme.
This partnership has transformed buses into safe spaces, equipped with enhanced safeguarding measures and additional training for drivers that cover all of Stagecoach East’s routes, including those in Bedfordshire.
Drivers are learning to spot signs of vulnerability, both on and off the bus. They’re also being trained in how to offer help effectively, such as stopping to check in on someone who appears fearful or even altering their route to ensure passengers reach a safe place.
Reflecting on the impact so far, Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, shared, “I am so proud of how our Training team, drivers, and everyone concerned have reacted to being part of this important scheme.
“They are making a real difference in our local communities.”
In just three months, drivers have already intervened in numerous incidents, helping to protect women and girls from abuse. Their actions range from offering reassurance through destination messages to directly stopping predators from causing harm.
In one instance, a driver’s quick intervention led to an arrest.
The initiative has also inspired other businesses, including fellow bus operators, to join the BAA scheme, amplifying its reach. BAA stickers with QR codes are now prominently displayed on all Stagecoach East buses, marking them as safe spaces.
These buses are also fitted with multiple cameras to ensure incidents are recorded and reported when necessary.
Drivers have a toolkit of responses, known as the 5 D’s, to help passengers in distress. These include delegating by involving others, distracting, and delaying until it’s safe to act.
For anyone feeling unsafe, the message from Stagecoach East is clear, added Roe, “Your local bus is a place of safety.”
