Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin wants to help women and girls feel safer when travelling alone on buses.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is piloting a new service to encourage passengers to report their experiences so that issues can be tackled.

Ms Brabin has put keeping women and girls safe at the heart of her Police and Crime Plan and the new Bus Safety Feedback Tool, available on the MCard app and website, allows passengers to report situations where they feel unsafe.

The Combined Authority will then work with police and bus companies to combat the problems and see where improvements can be made.

Ms Brabin said: “Improving the safety of women and girls was one of my 10 pledges when I became mayor a year ago. I know that many women and girls do feel unsafe when they travel alone, which is why I urge them to report any instances where we could do more to help them feel safer.

“Most bus journeys are completed in safety but that doesn’t mean people feel safe while waiting or making their journey.

“I want people to use this new service to report instances where they don’t feel safe, so that we and our partners can try and change things and encourage more people to use our bus services.

“But I would also urge everyone to call 999 if you see an assault or vandalism taking place. West Yorkshire Police will respond.

“This new reporting tool is a step towards ensuring that our public transport networks are safer, inclusive and welcoming for everyone.”

The MCard app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Posters are being installed at stops across West Yorkshire with a QR code linking to the Bus Safety Feedback Tool microsite at wymetro.com/bussafety.