Concerns over personal safety are stopping people from using public transport across the North of England.

A new report from Transport for the North (TfN) found that residents are changing how, when, or whether they travel because of fears for their safety.

The Safety and Public Transport in the North report is based on focus groups and a survey of more than 900 people.

It reveals that perceptions of risk—often shaped by second-hand accounts—can outweigh personal experience and have a significant impact on travel behaviour.

Katie Day, deputy chief executive at Transport for the North, said: “This research shines a light on the real-life concerns of people across the North when it comes to personal safety on public transport.

“While most journeys are incident-free, perceptions of risk are shaping decisions, with some people avoiding buses, trains or trams altogether.

“This not only affects individuals’ quality of life but can also deepen transport-related social exclusion.”

The report highlights that certain groups—especially women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and disabled passengers—face disproportionate challenges.

It also found that confidence drops sharply after dark, especially during the first and last parts of journeys.

Support for better staffing, CCTV, lighting, and reporting systems was strong among respondents.