Midland Metro, a UK tram system operated by National Express, a subsidiary of Travel West Midlands, for Centro, the transport authority, has been given an award for its passenger safety measures.
The Secured by Design organisation and the Association of Chief Police Officers have awarded Midland Metro with a Safer Tram Stop Award for its system. The award recognises a number of initiatives recently offered by the Safer Travel Partnership, including Centro, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and National Express, for increased passenger safety on the networks.
Councillor Roger Horton, the lead member for Transforming Rail in Centro, said, ‘The Safer Travel Partnership has been highly successful in reducing crime on the region’s transport system and this award is a reflection of their commitment.
It is also encouraging how passengers have recognised and supported the extra CCTV at stops as well as the additional help points and police patrols that have helped make the Metro such a safe form of transport.’
The acting inspector for British Transport Police, Chris Casey, said, ‘We are pleased that all Midland Metro tram stops have been accredited under this scheme.
Improving security is extremely important as it reduces the opportunities for criminals, while passengers feel safer while using the tram stops.
We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that there is a safe and secure environment on the Midland Metro network at all times.’
The Safer Travel Partnership, operating for passenger safety in bus, Metro and train journeys, offers a texting service, where passengers may text ‘bus’, ‘metro’ or ‘rail’, followed by a space and details of any incident in the UK, with time, date, location and route number, to 83010.