Public transport fails to connect with public

30 August 2007

Only 12% of people surveyed felt that bus timetables connected with train services

Poor bus links and a lack of adequate cycling facilities are putting people off using public transport, according to a survey from Transport 2000.

The survey found only 29% of respondents thought that bus timetables outside their nearest train station were clear and accurate. And just 12% of respondents thought bus timetables, generally, connected with the train timetable.

The Weakest link survey was launched by the sustainable travel group to find the best and worst train stations to travel to in England and Wales.

The group said the Government had made steps in the right direction, with station ‘Access for all’ funding and a commitment in the rail White Paper to introduce station travel plans and a task force to improve cycle provisions at stations. Transport 2000 welcomed these decisions.

Tara Melton of Transport 2000, added: ‘Rail passengers need real travel choices. All stations should have good bus links, decent footpaths and secure cycle parking and must be accessible to all. What our survey shows is that this clearly is not the case for many rural and urban stations, leaving many people with no choice but to drive to the station.’

The Department for Transport said it was continually looking at ways to improve integration between different modes of public transport. ‘The rail White Paper includes Transport 2000’s idea of station travel plans which will help improve access to stations,’ said a DfT spokesman.

‘They could include improved cycling access and facilities, better integration with bus services and improved parking facilities,’ he said. ‘The draft Local Transport Bill also proposes greater powers for local authorities to improve the quality of local bus services, based on the needs of passengers and to reform the arrangements for local transport governance. These will help ensure a more coherent approach to transport across different modes and boundaries.’

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