Bus services are a vital transport link for people living and working in the North. Getting to work, shops, hospital appointments and visiting friends are made possible by reliable, frequent bus services. Affordable fares, good quality bus shelters, reliable information and bus priority measures all make for increased satisfaction for bus users.
This week, the annual ‘Your Bus Journey’ survey from independent watchdog Transport Focus reveals a mixed picture of bus travel satisfaction in the North. East Riding of Yorkshire, Cheshire East, North East Lincolnshire and Cheshire West and Chester all feature in the top 20 ranked areas.
Other areas in the North fared less well in the rankings, with planned bus improvements, including franchising, continuing investment and other practical measures showing that improved bus services are desperately needed for every area in the North.
Government funding is essential to improve our bus services and makes a difference to the quality and take up of public transport. The report, which accompanied the survey, highlighted the work by Warrington to improve passengers experience at bus stops (including over 200 new shelters), better information services and the introduction of security staff at the main interchange. Tackling antisocial behaviour has added to an overall boost to satisfaction results and just shows what can be done with investment in bus services.
Transport for the North continues to support measures to improve bus services in every area of the North, to benefit the region’s people and places.
