More than 400 pupils at Grove Academy are building confidence, independence and safety skills on local buses through a partnership programme bringing schools, transport providers and police together.
This month, S1 and S2 students at the Dundee school took part in the lovemybus Youth Programme, an initiative designed by Transform and funded by regional transport partnership Tactran. The programme supports young people to travel confidently and responsibly by bus, while highlighting the wider benefits of public transport for health, local communities and the environment.
In partnership with Xplore Dundee and Tayside Community Policing, the sessions brought pupils together with bus drivers and police officers to talk openly about everyday bus travel, personal safety, and what to do if something doesn’t go to plan. The approach focuses on early, preventative engagement – helping young people develop positive travel habits before issues arise.
Survey results from participating pupils show strong levels of engagement with bus travel, with 80% already using the bus regularly and 60% feeling confident travelling independently. However, confidence drops after dark, with only 1 in 4 students saying they would feel confident travelling alone at night – highlighting where reassurance and practical support can make a difference.
During the sessions, pupils explored the benefits of bus travel, including reduced congestion, lower carbon emissions, and improved access to education and employment. They also discussed respectful behaviour, shared spaces, and practical safety steps, such as how and when to ask a driver for help.
Lovemybus Project Manager and Youth Facilitator Stacey O’Flaherty said:
“Buses are often at the heart of our communities, and we want young people to feel confident being part of that. Many rely on buses for school, college, work and socialising, but some feel anxious about travelling – particularly on their own or after dark. These sessions focus on building confidence, sharing practical skills, and reinforcing that support is always there if it’s needed.”
She added:
“While negative stories about buses can sometimes dominate headlines, the vast majority of journeys are made without incident. Since Scotland’s free bus travel scheme for under-22s was introduced, more than 250 million journeys have been taken, with incidents representing only a very small proportion overall. Supporting young people to travel confidently helps strengthen communities and local bus services.”
Officers from Tayside Community Policing joined the sessions to answer questions and explain how different partners work together to support safe and positive travel. Pupils also heard from Val, an Xplore Dundee bus driver, who shared insight into her role, its challenges and how drivers can act as a trusted point of support for young passengers.
By working with pupils from aged 8-14, the lovemybus Youth Programme aims to encourage positive travel habits, strengthen relationships between young people and transport providers, and support the long-term sustainability of local bus services through partnership working with schools, operators and Police Scotland.
Find out more about the lovemybus Youth Programme here.
