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Bus and coach industry launch training programme to tackle violence against women and girls

The new training will be delivered as part of the CPC qualification that all professional drivers must complete and will be rolled out nationwide.

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The UK bus and coach industry has launched a new national training programme for drivers aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and boosting passenger confidence on public transport. 

The scheme, led by the Confederation of Passenger Transport, was announced at an event hosted by First Bus in Basildon. 

It introduces a new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) module to give drivers awareness, confidence and practical tools to recognise, respond to and report incidents of harassment or violence.

The training was commissioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

It draws on industry knowledge and input from people with lived experience to make sure it reflects real situations drivers and passengers might face.

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The event brought together operators, training partners and policymakers, including local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood and officials from the Department for Transport.

Greenwood said: “Everyone should feel safe on public transport, and this programme gives drivers the confidence and practical skills to act in situations when passengers need support. 

“I welcome this important step in strengthening safety across the transport network as we work towards halving violence against women and girls within a decade.”

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A key part of the training is the “Four Ds” approach to bystander intervention, which is used by groups like the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, British Transport Police and Transport for London. 

The framework, adapted from the “Five Ds” by Right To Be, encourages drivers to distract, direct, delegate or document when dealing with incidents, depending on the situation.

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Industry representatives said drivers play a vital role on the front line and need the right tools and confidence to respond when passengers need help. 

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The new training will be delivered as part of the CPC qualification that all professional drivers must complete and will be rolled out nationwide.

Attendees at the launch were able to try parts of the training module themselves and see how the practical scenarios and guidance will be delivered to drivers.

Keith McNally, operations director at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “Bus and coach drivers are on the front line of our public transport network. 

“They see first-hand the responsibility that comes with ensuring passengers feel safe and supported when they travel.

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“By embedding this training into the industry’s national driver qualification, we are taking an important step to ensure that the bus and coach sector continues to play its part in tackling violence against women and girls and creating a safer environment for everyone who uses public transport.”

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