North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has launched a survey to understand how safe women and girls feel when travelling across the region - delivering on her manifesto commitment to tackle violence against women and girls and make the North East safer.
The survey asks people to share their experiences of safety on public transport and when moving around the region, with responses used to shape targeted action to improve safety across the network.
It follows strong public feedback through the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan consultation, which received more than 16,000 responses. Over half (54%) came from women and girls, with safety highlighted as a key concern.
Since taking office, Mayor Kim has made safety on public transport a priority, with millions invested in:
- Hundreds of new bus shelters across the North East, including better lighting and glass shelters to replace older, darker brick and stone designs.
- New ticket gates and staff at Metro stations, with Regent Centre the first to receive an upgrade.
- Speeding up the introduction of new Metro trains, each fitted with 42 on-board cameras.
- Upgrading real-time bus information at stops and online so people can travel with greater confidence.
Mayor Kim said: "Too many women and girls still don’t feel safe when they travel - whether that’s getting the bus, walking home or cycling. That isn’t good enough, and it has to change.
“I’m determined to make our region safer, but we have to start by listening properly. This survey will help us hear directly from women and girls about where and when they feel unsafe, so we can take action where it matters most and deliver more improvements people can see and feel.
“That builds on the investment we’re already making in better bus shelters, more staffed gates at Metro stations, CCTV, and reliable information so you know when your next bus will arrive."
The survey forms part of a wider programme of work on the safety of women and girls, including dedicated engagement and partnership activity across the region to help shape practical solutions.
Responses will be analysed by WSP, a leading professional services firm who provide transport and advisory services, to identify patterns and themes in women’s and girls’ experiences of safety, helping shape future interventions and policy.
The survey is available now and takes around 15 minutes to complete: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/DDWYJI/
The survey closes on Friday 29th May.