JOINT COMMITMENT BY NEWPORT BUS & GWENT POLICE KEEPS PCSOS ON CITY’S BUSES

Newport Bus has reaffirmed its commitment to making its buses amongst the safest in the country to travel aboard by continuing its funding of a dedicated team of PCSOs for another 12 months.

The company remains the only bus operator in the UK to fund such a devoted team of support officers and has committed funding totalling £40K to support the project. Gwent Police has committed a similar figure through the Home Office and will oversee the team and its operations.
 
Since launching the team in 2008, the PCSOs have successfully targeted anti-social behaviour and vandalism as well as leading community projects like the production of a DVD by local children raising awareness of the dangers of throwing missiles at buses.

During the last three years Newport Transport’s PCSO team has submitted:

714 non-endorsable fixed penalties (£30)
66 Dispersal notices
11 Section 165 (no insurance)
32 expired vehicle tax
707 stop and search forms
3 endorsable fixed penalties
100 ASB warning letters
and have assisted in
141 Arrests

Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We are delighted that Newport Transport has reaffirmed its commitment to its customers and staff in this way.

“People have the right to feel safe when using the bus and we are extremely proud that Newport’s provision of bus services through Newport Transport rank amongst the safest in the UK. This supports our combined efforts with Newport Transport and Gwent Police of providing a first-class public transport network for the city.”

Cllr William J. Routley, Chairman of Newport Transport, said: “Our commitment to our customers and staff is of paramount importance to us and the provision of a dedicated team of PCSOs ensures that our buses remain amongst the safest in the UK to travel aboard.

“Since becoming the first bus operator in the UK to fund such a team we have witnessed an encouraging decrease in the number of incidents involving our buses. This means that customers can take comfort in knowing that using the bus is not just one of the most convenient ways of getting about the city, but one of the safest too.”

Inspector Bob Thompson, Gwent Police, said: “The PCSOs who work with Newport Transport provide an invaluable service by reducing anti-social behaviour and providing a reassuring visible presence on the city’s bus routes.

“The initiative is a joint approach and is similar to other initiatives across Gwent, whereby the funding is split between Gwent Police through the Home Office and Newport Transport.

“Using public transport is a part of everyday life for many residents and visitors to Newport.  By working together with Newport Transport we are committed to making this a safe and pleasant journey, every time.”