More than 1,600 students from schools across Manchester have now used special virtual reality (VR) headsets as part of a project which is aimed at reducing the amount of abuse aimed at tramway employees on the city’s tram network.
The technology is being used to show a hard-hitting film “No Excuse for Abuse”. Its been funded by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) and tram operator KeolisAmey Metrolink, and is now being deployed as part of the Bee Network’s TravelSafe Partnership Education and Engagement Programme.
It has been rolled out to 11 schools with 1,600 students having viewed the film. Of these 94% have said they will show more respect to Metrolink staff whilst 85% have said they have a better understanding of the impact of anti-social behaviour on public transport staff.
Carly Swift, Marketing and Communications Manager at the LRSSB, said: “The project is clearly raising awareness of the profound impact of verbal and physical attacks on people who are just going about doing their own work. It also demonstrates the benefits of organisations working together and embracing new technologies to help tackle long-standing issues faced by operators and their employees.”
Sarah Potts, TravelSafe Prevention and Engagement Advisor at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “It has been a privilege to support the development of the TravelSafe Partnership’s new virtual reality film, No Excuse for Abuse. Now successfully embedded within our educational programme, the film is helping to drive meaningful behaviour change.
“It provides a powerful and immersive way for young people to understand the real impact of their actions and reinforces the clear message that there is never an excuse for abusive behaviour.”