YOUR report on safety and security at Bury Interchange (Passengers fear for their safety, June 24) highlights some important issues that are amongst GMPTE's top priorities.

I can assure readers that we are working hard to improve safety and security, not just in Bury, but right across Greater Manchester's public transport network. After all, if we are to encourage more people to use public transport then they need to feel confident, comfortable and, most of all, safe.

A programme of works is under way at Bury Interchange and many of the bus waiting areas, walkways and crossing points have already been upgraded. By the time the works are complete, Bury Interchange will have benefited from some £1,915,000 of investment since last year. The improved lighting and safer crossing points have all contributed towards making the interchange more safe, secure and comfortable for passengers and we are sure that when the works are completed Bury will have a first-class interchange to be proud of.

Wider initiatives to improve safety and security across the public transport network are also under way. Former Transport Minister John Spellar MP came to Greater Manchester recently to formally launch the "Transupport" initiative, a partnership which brings together senior figures from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, GMPTE, Greater Manchester Police, Network Rail, British Transport Police, JC Decaux and local bus, train and tram operators. The group is involved in initiatives designed to make public transport safe, pleasant and comfortable to use and some of these initiatives, such as the night bus network and free travel for police on buses, are already in operation.

Thanks to the exchange of information between the partners in the Transupport initiative we now have a greater understanding of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport and the negative effect it has on local communities, the travelling public, transport operators and their staff.

KEITH HOWCROFT,

director of planning and communications.