The UK bus and coach industry launched a new national driver training programme designed to help tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) and strengthen passenger confidence on public transport on Tuesday 17th March.
The initiative, led by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), was unveiled at an event hosted by First Bus in Basildon. The programme introduces a dedicated Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) module that will equip drivers across the country with the awareness, confidence and practical tools to recognise, safely respond to and report incidents of harassment or violence.
The training module has been commissioned by CPT and developed in partnership with Understood, drawing on both industry expertise and lived experience to ensure it reflects real operating environments and the situations drivers and passengers may encounter.
The launch event brought together operators, training partners and policymakers, including Lilian Greenwood, Minister for Local Transport and the Department for Transport’s lead on violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the event, Greenwood welcomed the sector’s leadership in strengthening safety and awareness across the public transport network.
A central element of the training is the introduction of the “Four Ds” approach to bystander intervention, an established framework promoted by organisations such as 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 consider different ways of responding to incidents depending on the situation: distract to interrupt or defuse a situation, direct to calmly address unacceptable behaviour where safe to do so, delegate by alerting control centres or emergency services, and document key details to support follow-up and reporting.
Industry representatives at the launch highlighted the vital role that drivers play on the front line of public transport and the importance of equipping them with the tools and confidence to respond appropriately when passengers need support.
The new training will be delivered as part of the CPC qualification undertaken by all professional drivers and is expected to be rolled out across bus and coach operators nationwide.
At the event, attendees also had the opportunity to experience elements of the training module first-hand, providing insight into the practical scenarios and guidance that will be delivered to drivers.
Local Transport Minister Lilian 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.”
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.
“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.”
Carolyn Quainton, Director of Understood, said: “Bus drivers are often the most visible and trusted presence on a journey, and they can play an important role in helping passengers feel safe.
“This training has been developed in consultation with drivers, operators, police and specialist organisations, alongside insights from people with lived experience. The aim has been to ensure the guidance reflects the realities of the job and the situations drivers may encounter on board.
“Crucially, the training is not about asking drivers to put themselves at risk. It focuses on awareness, confidence and clear reporting pathways, and shows how small, safe actions can make a real difference. Creating safer travel for women and girls ultimately helps create a safer environment for everyone who uses public transport.”
The bus and coach sector carries millions of passengers every day and is committed to ensuring that everyone can travel safely and with confidence. The new training programme forms part of the industry’s wider efforts to support safer journeys and contribute to the national mission to tackle violence against women and girls.
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