Around 800 schools across Greater Manchester are being asked to help tackle anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on the Metrolink network by taking part in a creative competition.
It follows the huge success of last year’s pilot programme, when Transport for Greater Manchester invited selected schools along the tram network to produce 60-second commercials that competed for views on social media.
A specially created online tool kit will help pupils aged between nine and 14 years old (years five to nine) learn more about the impact of vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour on Metrolink, which led to a repairs bill of nearly £73,000 last year.
Digital engagement agency Ucreate will once again support the competition, holding sessions to help teach schoolchildren how to create their audio or visual commercial and promote it on social media.
The winning advert will be used in an upcoming Metrolink marketing campaign to raise awareness of the impact of antisocial behaviour and fare dodging.
The competition is once again being run in partnership with HOME – Manchester’s international centre for contemporary visual art, theatre and film – with the shortlisted commercials to be shown on the big screen.
Artistic Director of Film at HOME, Jason Wood, said: “We’re delighted to support this great competition.
“The quality of last year’s entries was fantastic and we’re really looking forward to meeting this year’s talented young filmmakers and showing their work on HOME’s big screen.”
Last year Droylsden’s Fairfield High School for Girls picked up the winning prize for their hard-hitting radio commercial about the penalties for fare evasion – “Stop, think, take pride in your Metrolink!” – which had more than 2,000 views on YouTube.
TfGM’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “We know tackling antisocial behaviour is important for our customers and while the Travelsafe Unit is doing a great job on the ground, education is also key to prevention.
“The success of last year’s schools competition pilot clearly demonstrated that educating school children in a fun and enjoyable way works.
“Unfortunately, on occasion we have seen the conduct of increasingly younger people result in disruption to customer journeys, by causing damage to our trams.
“This kind of thoughtless behaviour can also have life changing consequences for them as individuals. This competition will help them learn more about Metrolink think about their actions while learning some new skills in the process.”
Ucreate’s Operations Manager, Mark Matthews, said: “It’s great to be working with Metrolink again and helping get these really important issues out to young people across Manchester.
“Our unique media-driven workshops are loved by teachers and pupils alike and are a powerful way to deliver social and community messages to an audience that is otherwise very difficult to reach.”
Competition entries will be shortlisted next month and promoted on TFGM’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter: @OfficialTfGM and @MCRMetrolink.
Winners will be announced at a prize giving ceremony at HOME in July.
