As we are all aware over the past year the headlines have been bombarded with incidences of violence against women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These incidences have occurred especially at night and even with all the ‘precautions’ we are told to take as women, these events are still happening. We are all too familiar with the Sarah Everard case (amongst many others) in which she was kidnapped, raped, and murdered all on a short walk home from a friend’s house. This is a widespread issue that has constantly been ignored.

Prior to COVID-19, Liverpool used to run hourly buses (i.e. 86 and 86A) after 12am but since then, and even after the UK opening up again these have not returned. Liverpool is a “university city”, housing 3 large universities and countless colleges, 24 hour access to public transport is a necessity.

Due to COVID-19 and the shortage of taxi drivers, taxis are costing upwards of £25 for short 2 mile journeys. I have found myself finishing work after 12am and being faced with the cost of £30 Ubers or walking home alone in the dark, no one, especially students can justify the cost of what could be more than 3 hours pay or a week’s food shop to get home ‘safely’. But even if you can access taxi services, we have also seen the rise in sexual violence towards women from taxi drivers. Being faced with questions such as “are you drunk?”, “are you home alone?”; women sharing their locations with friends, getting dropped off a few doors down from their actual address and not letting them see where you are going into, women being locked in taxis and refused to be let out unless they give them their numbers or pay them in ‘sexual favours’.

I believe the reinstatement of night buses will improve the safety of women and provide a peace of mind for everyone, not just women. London has recently reinstated the night tube in an effort to create a safer environment for everyone living in the city and I believe Liverpool should follow suit and join them in providing accessible transport, 24 hours, for everyone.