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PARTNERSHIP WITH TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
As part of the launch of bus franchising and the Bee Network, TSEOs have been introduced, spearheaded and championed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt.
All TSEOs were newly recruited and thoroughly vetted before they could join the team – a process aimed at identifying those with strong communication and conflict-resolution skills. The role requires a high level of security clearance, and all online activity of applicants was reviewed, to identify risks such as engagement with inappropriate chat forums.
Amulet worked alongside TfGM to develop and deliver a two-week programme of onboarding and training to the new team. This included details on the deployment areas and potential issues they may face in Bee Network bus routes operating in Bolton, Wigan, and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester.
After 100 days of operation, the impact of the structure, recruitment process, and public reaction to the TSEOs were reviewed. As a result, a restructuring took place establishing a ‘regions’ approach each sub-group had a team leader and deputy leader to give officers increased management and supervision so that all teams had a shift leader they could turn to for support, guidance or escalation if needed.
As part of the review, the TSEO team was increased to 60 officers by February 2024. That not only allowed TSEOs to operate in a wider area but meant that some of the 30 initial officers had developed enough in their roles to step up to leadership positions – using their experience and knowledge gained to build up new team members and beyond.
As part of the expansion to 60 TSEOs, they now cover the second group of franchised Bee Network bus services operating in Rochdale, Oldham and other parts of Bury, which launched in March 2024. This increased their overall presence on the franchised Greater Manchester bus network to approximately 50 per cent.
In January 2025, there are plans to increase TSEO presence once the third area of bus franchising goes live and services across Tameside, Stockport, Trafford and Manchester join the Bee Network. The final step will see the entire Greater Manchester bus network franchised and under public control, with the number of TSEOs on the network to increase to at least 90 with the potential to boost numbers to 120.
EXCEPTIONAL WORK
TSEOs have been proving their effectiveness across the Bee Network already. In part of their first phase, TSEOs attended 946 incidents between December and February.
Elsewhere, they dealt with 105 safeguarding and welfare incidents and submitted 486 pieces of evidence. These incidents included young people engaging in criminal damage, tram surfing, and issues surrounding homelessness. TSEOs are also trained in undertaking bus revenue protection duties, with revenue being reinvested into the network.
TSEOs do not just deter criminal behaviour but also support Bee Network staff and customers throughout Greater Manchester. In one instance, TSEOs exemplified their effectiveness in reducing criminal behaviour and empathy when a family with a young child received racial abuse from another passenger. TSEOs stepped in to apprehend the person spouting abuse and support the affected family. The young boy was especially appreciative of their presence, as he tried on a TSEO’s hi-vis vest.
THE FUTURE OF TSEOS
The success of TSEOs has not only ensured their expansion across Greater Manchester, but Amulet’s collaboration with other organisations, such as Greater Manchester Police (GMP). TSEOs are increasingly participating in and supporting initiatives like Operation AVRO, a force-wide GMP-led monthly blitz on local crime that runs in each of the 10 districts across Greater Manchester.
Public transport is the thread that connects all of Greater Manchester, and in recognition of that, it is viewed as a conceptual “11th district” of Greater Manchester – now, a transport-specific Operation AVRO takes place on a biannual basis.
Operation AVRO tackles issues like crime, anti-social behaviour, child protection and safeguarding, using high visibility, resource intensive and proactive policing. The programme sees the police and TfGM team up with other local organisations, such as youth charity Foundation 92. TSEOs have also received several bespoke training sessions to help them tackle safeguarding issues and gender-based violence.
Travel Safety Officers have not just become more prevalent in Manchester but throughout the UK. The Department of Transport has assigned £2.5 million of funding to patrol areas in England as part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.
TSEOs and TSOs work to reduce crime and offer empathetic support and a friendly face for passengers. In Manchester, commuters now have someone to turn to, no matter the situation at hand.
