Merseyrail has confirmed it will sign up to a new set of proposals aimed at clamping down on nuisance behaviour across the public transport network. The move follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's announcement this week of a campaign to remind people to use headphones on public transport.
In a video shared on social media, Burnham described loud music or videos played without headphones as "one of the most annoying things". Under the new crackdown, people could face £100 fines for behaviour including littering and vaping.
Merseyrail's commitment to the new policy
Suzanne Grant, interim managing director of Merseyrail, told a BBC Radio Merseyside phone-in that the company would be signing up to Burnham's policy. She said officials "don't want to have to issue penalties" or remove people from the network and would focus on deescalation.
The UK government's new campaign will encourage local leaders to use new powers to issue fines. Grant confirmed Merseyrail would support the move, saying: "For me, it's about creating a welcoming environment on our trains."
Training teams to deescalate situations
Around 30 officers work across the network checking tickets and behaviour, including those who put their feet on seats. Grant added that train managers would speak to those involved in anti-social behaviour in a bid to curb it, rather than immediately issuing penalties.
She said: "I think it's getting harder, I think there's been a real change since Covid, it just feels like people don't want to be told what to do anymore. That's why we'll train our teams to have conversations to deescalate situations."
"We don't want to have to issue penalties or in extreme cases remove people from the network, we focus on training our teams to deescalate situations."
E-bike ban explained
Grant also addressed the company's decision to ban e-bikes from the network, which has caused concern within the cycling community. She said: "I'm sorry for those people we've impacted and it's really important I do say sorry but ultimately we can't wait for an incident then to ban bikes, the risk is really serious."
She explained: "Our network is unlike other networks in that a percentage of the network is underground so that makes dealing with a thermal runaway really difficult. We also run the risk that if there's a battery, it starts emitting smoke, passengers may start to leave the train. We have a third rail instead of overhead power lines like other train companies so all of these risks have to be taken into consideration."
"This isn't a decision that we made lightly and again I am sorry."
