Carry on photographing, bus fans are told

Bus spotters are welcome at the Borough's bus stations — but must obey safety rules when taking photographs, a transport boss says.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority chairman Councillor Keith Whitmore is to arrange talks with bus companies and the bus spotters to make clear the authority’s position.

He said: “I understand that some enthusiasts have been warned about their behaviour after incidents involving taking pictures of buses.

“I just want to say to them that we are quite happy for them to do that as long as they are sensible. I think the incidents involved some people jumping out in front of buses to take pictures while they were moving and that is obviously not acceptable.

“They are welcome at all our bus stations but they have got to realise that health and safety rules must be complied with. I will be meeting the operators and the enthusiasts’ group to make sure that everyone understands our position.”

Stagecoach North-East operations director Nigel Winter issued guidance to staff last year which said: “May I remind all staff that it is not against the law (or unusual) for bus enthusiasts to take photographs of Stagecoach buses, especially at busy bus terminal and interchange points.

“Remember that bus enthusiasts take pictures of buses; they are not interested in the driver and are doing no harm in pursuing their hobby.”

In London, the Metropolitan Police have issued written instructions to all police officers and PCSOs telling them what they can and cannot do when they discover anyone taking photographs in a public place.

They can ask questions about what a photographer is doing but cannot insist that they stop taking photographs. They cannot insist on photographs already taken being deleted and cannot confiscate cameras, film, or memory cards.

Many other police forces are following that precedent and as a result, enthusiast groups are advising members approached by security staff or bus station officials to insist on police being called.