New bus travel initiative in Gosport set to boost safety and confidence

The ‘Gosport Travel Safe’ initiative, led by Hampshire County Council and funded using Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Government grant, brings together partners including Portsmouth City Council, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, and First Bus to improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour across the bus network through a range of measures, including a visible patrol presence.

The initiative includes:

- Uniformed Travel Safe Officer patrols in Gosport trained and legally empowered to respond to anti-social behaviour and assist passengers
- Upgraded bus shelters including investment in 18 new shelters
- Installation of 24-hour live-monitored CCTV cameras across bus corridors
- Improved lighting at key locations
- Vegetation cut back and fencing repaired along sections of the Eclipse bus corridor

As part of a phased introduction, passengers have already begun to see the uniformed Travel Safe Officers out on patrol, providing a reassuring presence at bus stops, interchanges and on-board buses. Later in the autumn, the full team will be in operation helping to deter anti-social behaviour, support passengers and work closely with partner organisations to address safety concerns.

Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said: "Everyone should feel comfortable when travelling by bus, whether for work, education, shopping or visiting friends and family, and we want to ensure that bus travel continues to be a positive experience for passengers across Gosport.

“The Gosport Travel Safe Partnership is a direct response to what passengers have told us matters most and is designed to help people travel with greater confidence. Along the Eclipse route, we have improved bus shelters and lighting, while from later this year CCTV will monitor the route around the clock. Passengers will also now see trained Travel Safe Officers patrolling the local bus network. Together, these measures – delivered in partnership with organisations - represent a significant investment in deterring anti-social behaviour.”

The project builds on the success of the Eclipse busway operated by First Bus, now the busiest bus route in Hampshire, which carries around 1.6 million passenger journeys each year. This route, together with other bus routes in the Gosport area, have benefited from BSIP investment to deliver enhanced bus service frequencies. By combining improved infrastructure, enhanced security measures and visible patrols, the partnership aims to make bus travel an even more attractive option along one of the county's most important public transport corridors.

Doug Claringbold, Managing Director South and West, First Bus, added: "First Bus South is proud to support the launch of the Gosport Travel Safe Partnership and to continue working alongside Hampshire County Council and other partners including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary to help make public transport safer and more welcoming for everyone. This initiative demonstrates the strength of our longstanding partnerships and our shared commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour, improving personal safety, and protecting the communities we serve. The introduction of the Travel Safe Officers will provide valuable support for our drivers, customers and local residents, helping to ensure that the Gosport busway and wider Solent network remain safe, accessible and attractive for all."