Transport chiefs beating bullies

Transport bosses are on board with a new scheme to help stop people with learning disabilities being bullied on public transport.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) has backed the UR On Board project with a £25,000 grant.

Run by national charity United Response, it aims to encourage more people with learning disabilities to use public transport.

GMITA has previously funded the scheme on a pilot-basis in Trafford but the new funding will allow the work to take place across Greater Manchester.

Policy Committee chairman, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: “The work in Trafford showed that with a little funding we can make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Everyone has the right to travel without being subject to abuse but sadly these things do happen. What we hope to achieve with United Response is to highlight the problem and do something about it by educating people.

“We want everyone to be able to use public transport and benefit from the independence that comes with it. I hope that this work encourages more people to have the confidence to use it.”

United Response questioned more than 170 people with learning disabilities and found that at least one in five had been harassed and, of these, 56 per cent had been bullied by teenagers, 38 per cent by younger children and 21 per cent by adults.

As a result, the charity has created training sessions for local schools, and a curriculum-linked education pack that involves people with learning disabilities sharing first-hand experiences with youngsters to help improve understanding.

John Nettles, who has directly benefited from the scheme and is now helping others by helping to deliver training, said: “I like using the tram and I couldn’t use it before, but I use it a lot now. The training is a big help.”

Ali Bishop, who heads the project, said: “Bullying is not an easy subject to talk about but, unfortunately, it is part of life for many people with learning disabilities and we’re pleased that GMITA are supporting us in trying to tackle it.”