Cheshire County Council – THE CHESHIRE BUS SURVEY 1988

Description

The Cheshire Bus Survey (Apr–May 1988) used a weighted household survey (≈984), a bus‑user survey (1,058) and analysis of 486 hotline calls to assess post‑deregulation attitudes. Key findings: 22% were frequent users and 36% never used buses; use was higher in towns and among teenagers, elderly, women and manual workers. Main trip purposes were shopping and social visits; many routes were town‑based and former NBC/council services. Information awareness was mixed: timetables reached ~25–30% and were clear, informal sources dominated, and bus stations were the preferred formal outlet. Cheshire Bus had moderate visibility (≈54–63% had seen signs) but poor understanding (4% knew its purpose; 15% knew the council ran it). Only 7% knew the hotline and 1% had used it. Support for subsidising rural/out‑of‑hours services was strong (42% wanted more subsidy). Dial‑A‑Ride showed major unmet need (known to ~50%; 6% could benefit; almost no users). Recommendations: clearer publicity and wider leaflet distribution, better evening/Sunday services, and expansion of Dial‑A‑Ride.