It's three o'clock, and school is out. At public transport hubs like the busy Ashton Interchange, schoolkids spill onto buses and sprawl on benches, enjoying the stretch of freedom that lies between the school gates and their homes.
Many are in no hurry - the interchange is warm, and there are hours to fill with nowhere in particular to be. But for some, their presence is an unwelcome addition to their commute.
Teenagers have a reputation on Manchester's public transport networks for causing a nuisance - shouting, swearing, and vaping are all frequent complaints attributed to them, one charity, Foundation 92, has found.
So they're taking a novel approach to tackling the problem, armed with just a minibus, an Xbox, and staff who are willing to listen. READ MORE: Community pantry set up in lockdown now helps 80 Ramsbottom families each week Foundation 92 say bus stations and interchanges have become hotspots for young people left stranded after the closures of youth zones across Greater Manchester.
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