Passenger Focus announces results of the Autumn 2014 Bus Passenger Survey

Passenger Focus has published results of the yearly Bus Passenger Survey.

The survey, carried out in autumn 2014, provides an indication of overall passenger bus travel satisfaction and is used as a comparison and benchmarking tool for operators, transport authorities, stakeholder groups and governments.

Over 47,000 passengers took part in the survey covering 23 local transport authorities, 49 bus company areas and included a fully third-party-funded survey in four areas of Scotland.

The Bus Passenger Survey is divided into various different aspects of bus travel. Passengers are able to provide satisfaction levels for the bus stop, waiting for the bus, on the bus, the outside of the bus and the bus driver as well as their overall satisfaction with the bus journey and value for money.

The autumn 2014 survey revealed overall satisfaction in English areas remained at 88 per cent with value for money rising to 63 per cent from 61 per cent the previous year. Scottish area results showed a satisfaction rate of 92 per cent and value for money 71 per cent.

David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Passenger Focus, said: “Passengers tell us that a punctual and reliable bus service offering good value for money is key to their satisfaction, along with being able to get decent information and a friendly, helpful driver.

“When bus companies act on the findings in the survey it has a direct result for passengers. We continue to hear where bus companies listen to what passengers said from our research, this can act a catalyst for real change.

“Nationally there is still room for improvement however, with a wide range of value for money scores across the country. We call on operators to look at their colleagues with better scores to learn from them and make a difference to their passengers.”

Full results of the Autumn 2014 Bus Passenger Survey can be downloaded here.