The Transport Executive has unveiled a public transport interchange set in a bid to promote public transport and reduce anti-social behaviour on buses, trains and trams.
The scenario is the newest addition to Crucial Crew at the Lifewise Centre at Magna – a South Yorkshire Police initiative designed to arm young people with the skills they need to deal with real life situations, as well as teach them about safety and citizenship.
The set features an Interchange, an Information Centre, a bus shelter and a life-size bus and has been specially designed to educate young people about public transport.
The interchange has been designed and funded by the Transport Executive and each year over 12,000 Year 6 pupils from across the county will benefit from it.
Some of the other sets inside the centre include a road safety demonstration, a mock bedroom fire, a railway line to highlight the dangers of playing near train tracks and a play ground where youngsters are taught about drugs awareness.
David Brown, Passenger Services Director, at the Transport Executive said: “We are delighted to be working with South Yorkshire Police to help educate young people about public transport. During their visit to the interchange they will be shown the negative impacts of antisocial behaviour on public transport and the consequences of these actions. It also educates them about environmental benefits of using public transport and the positive impact this has on the atmosphere.
“Although incidents of anti social behaviour on buses, trams and trains are rare, we believe by introducing the public transport scenario at Crucial Crew, we are sending out the message that this will not be tolerated.”
A lot of work and time has been invested to ensure the set is realistic and offers young people a real life experience. The interchange has been painted by TV and film set scenic artist Jeremy Duckham and the bus has been donated by First South Yorkshire. The bus shelter was donated by Abacus Lighting Ltd.
The programme is part of the transport industry’s commitment to educating young people about public transport. Education and Safety Officers from the Transport Executive visit junior schools across the county to deliver lessons, tackling issues ranging from how to apply for a MegaTravel pass to the dangers of smoking on buses.
Chief Inspection Mark James from South Yorkshire Police Community Safety Department said: “Lifewise creates an imaginative programme which deals with key issues of modern life, such as personal or community safety or the responsibilities of being a member of society.
“It provides a realistic and exciting environment in which groups of people can act out particular situations in a realistic setting dealing with a variety of issues and problems. By confronting and dealing with such issues we hope that people will be better equipped to apply the lessons to real life.”
The centre is project led and funded by South Yorkshire Police, with support from a variety of other organisations including South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Home Office.