Press Notices
8 May 2002
Public see bus leading transport change
The bus has a key role to play in delivering integrated transport and persuading people out of their cars according to one of the largest transport public opinion surveys carried out for the Commission for Integrated Transport.
And for those who are already using them - 8% more bus users are satisfied with their choice than a year ago. In all, 64% of passengers said they are satisfied with their services.
For the future, 82% of the 1725 people interviewed by MORI back park and ride schemes which allow drivers to take the car to the outskirts of a town or city and then lets the bus take the strain. More people (40%) believe it will have more impact on improving our transport system than any other single initiative.
57% of interviewees back more bus lanes in town centres even though they leave less space for cars - with just 20% opposed. And half of the bus lane supporters said they will make more use of buses benefitting from these priority measures.
Encouragingly, if bus journey times are cut by half through bus priority measures, 26% of car users say they would be very likely to travel more by bus.
Some 28% of those surveyed feel an increased number and frequency of bus services will have most impact on the transport network.
Dedicated school bus services are overwhelmingly chosen as the solution that will make parents consider using their car less for taking children to school. Twice as many interviewees (32%) back this choice over the next favoured option - safer walking routes.
Commenting on the results, CfIT's Chair, Professor David Begg, said: "The public have given a clear choice on what will have most impact on improving transport - and it just happens to be the one solution that can be delivered quickly.
"Buses are the most flexible option we have. They have the ability to deliver change fast and cheaply and reach all parts of the nation.
"This survey should give local politicians the conviction and authority to press on with the bus priority measures, park and ride initiatives and school transport solutions that can offer so much help to their communities.
"The Government has given local authorities the funding for change but, with some notable exceptions, there is not enough happening on the ground. Politicans must not be put off change because of limited local opposition - the public are clearly willing them on."
- Interview Results (Adobe Acrobat - 93kb)
Notes to editors:
1. This report is an extract of the CfIT Report 2002: Public Attitudes to Transport in England which will be published later in May.
2. The full report will be made available on the CfIT website: www.independent.gov.uk/cfit/pubs/2002/mori2002/index.htm.
3. MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,725 adults aged 16+, including a boosted sample to 421 in London. All interviews were conducted face-to-face, in home, in 136 Enumeration Districts throughout England between 27 February and 7 April 2002. Data was weighted to reflect the correct geographic and demographic profile of the population.
Return to: The CfIT report 2002: public attitudes to transport in England (MORI)
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