On Thursday 31st March, a team of leaders from Hackney civil society institutions met with their London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold, to discuss issues of overcrowded buses. This issue is connected to London Citizens’ wider CitySafe campaign.
Hackney Citizens have placed transport and safety at the top of their agenda for change. A clear example related to these issues is that of overcrowded buses, especially at the beginning and end of the school day. Not only does the issue of overcrowded buses affect young people in our schools, but it also affects the wider community, and bus drivers themselves.
After a few weeks researching this specific issue, students from Skinners’ Academy and Our Lady’s Convent High School identified two specific bus routes: the 253 and 254 routes. At 4.30pm, standing outside Skinners’ Academy, near Manor House station, for instance, you see a large number of students waiting for the same buses, which is often problematic. Producing a video showing what happens outside their school, student leaders at Skinners’ Academy clearly demonstrated that this has to change.
Meeting with Jennette Arnold AM, Hackney leaders shared their thoughts and sought recognition and support from their elected representative. And recognition and support they got. Jennette Arnold AM commented very positivively on the work carried out by our leaders and agreed to work with us to tackle this issue. She agreed to come on a Neighbourhood Walk in the next few weeks to check out what is going on and help us build a working relationship with Arriva (the company running buses in Hackney) and Transport for London.
We are very much looking forward to working with Jennette Arnold and addressing issues which matter to our community in Hackney.
Our campaign is not over, but it’s gaining momentum as Hackney leaders are working together and building links with political power.
Watch this space…
For more details, please contact Sebastien Chapleau (London Citizens Organiser in Hackney): sebastien.chapleau@londoncitizens.org.uk
