Scottish Government Debate: Women and Girls’ Safety on Public Transport

Jenny Gilruth S6M-08122 That Parliament notes the publication of new Scottish Government research on Women and Girls’ Safety on Public Transport; encourages operators, police authorities and other stakeholders to adopt the recommendations put forward by the report; regrets that women and girls are adapting their behaviour to try to feel safe when travelling or working on public transport; notes that wider systemic changes, supported by more practical interventions, are required, and supports a commitment to engage stakeholders in the Scottish transport sector in a summit, which will progress the recommendations from this report, to ensure that Scotland’s public transport is made safer for women and girls. Graham Simpson S6M-08122.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-08122 in the name of Jenny Gilruth (Women and Girls’ Safety on Public Transport), insert at end "; notes the 10th anniversary of British Transport Police’s (BTP) Text 61016 service in March 2023, and encourages people to use BTP’s free Railway Guardian app, which helps the travelling public and rail staff to report crime to BTP and offers information on what to do if people see sexual harassment on trains or at stations." Neil Bibby S6M-08122.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-08122 in the name of Jenny Gilruth (Women and Girls’ Safety on Public Transport), insert at end "; believes that in order for women and girls to feel safe and be safe, the public transport network needs to be accessible and properly staffed; rejects proposals for any cuts to ScotRail ticket office opening hours, which would be a retrograde step in this regard, and calls for assurances that trade unions and women’s organisations will be actively included in the work for safety on public transport." That Parliament notes the publication of new Scottish Government research on Women and Girls’ Safety on Public Transport; encourages operators, police authorities and other stakeholders to adopt the recommendations put forward by the report; regrets that women and girls are adapting their behaviour to try to feel safe when travelling or working on public transport; notes that wider systemic changes, supported by more practical interventions, are required, and supports a commitment to engage stakeholders in the Scottish transport sector in a summit, which will progress the recommendations from this report, to ensure that Scotland’s public transport is made safer for women and girls.