Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has backed the need for a safer tram network.  The focus is on creating safer journeys for residents.  The presence of a conductor would mean that passengers will be ensured safer travel and that fare dodgers will be caught and deterred.  This common-sense solution and has been applied successfully elsewhere, in Sheffield and Birmingham.

Councillor Sykes MBE has asked what progress has been made to introduce conductors to the Oldham Borough local tram network.  This follows a Liberal Democrat suggestion at the July 2019 Council meeting, where the council agreed this was a good idea and the way forward.

Councillor Sykes states:  “There has been a long history of anti-social behavior on the trams and people fare dodging, especially on our tram line.  It’s double standards for some, and residents are getting fed up.”

At the July 2019 council meeting, the Liberal Democrats asked for an update on what discussions have taken place since the Council resolved to support this course of action.

Now Councillor Sykes MBE, the leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council wants more clarity on the issue and a definitive time scale of the action being taken.  E

Copy of letter:

22 July 2019

Carolyn Wilkins OBE, Chief Executive, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Dear Dr Wilkinson,

Re: Safety on trams

I am sure you are very aware of the Liberal Democrat focus on creating safer journeys for residents using our much loved and highly used TFGM trams especially those using the network from the Shaw & Crompton stop.

I am writing to you to ask what progress has been made to introduce conductors to our local tram network since Oldham Council, following a Liberal Democrat suggestion, agreed this was a good idea and the way forward.

A conductors’ presence means that passengers will be able to travel more safely and that fare dodgers will be caught and deterred increasing revenue.  I am sure you will agree that this is a common-sense solution and has been applied successfully elsewhere – in Sheffield and Birmingham, for example. 

There has been a long history of anti-social behavior on the trams and people fare dodging, especially on our tram line. 

At the July 2019 council meeting, Councillor Hazel Gloster asked for an update on what discussions have taken place since the Council resolved to support this course of action.  

We asked the relevant cabinet member to inform the Council of progress on this matter.  

Now I ask you what is being done and if you or other officers have had a meeting with Transport for Greater Manchester on this issue.  The offer of a meeting was reported to Council some time ago as being offered.  Has this been taken up, and if so what was the outcome?  If not, why not?

I look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible. 

Yours sincerely

Howard Sykes