Department of Transport – BETTER INFORMATION FOR BUS PASSENGERS 1996

Description

This 1996 Department of Transport guide stresses that high-quality, accessible passenger information is essential to making bus travel attractive, increasing ridership and reducing car dependence. It urges coordinated marketing and partnerships between local authorities and operators—covering promotion, timetables, maps, bus-stop and on-bus displays, travel centres, helplines and real-time electronic systems—to present consistent, impartial, up-to-date information. Practical recommendations include all-operator area guides, clear stop signage, readable timetables (tested and locally standardised), timely notices of changes, multi-language and disability-friendly formats, and widely publicised enquiry points. The guide highlights proven returns on investment from information campaigns and cites research showing passengers prefer printed timetables, telephone services and on-stop displays. It encourages joint ticketing and cooperation (noting OFT guidance) and adoption of design standards such as those from DPTAC. Overall, it recommends strategic planning, cost-sharing, professional design and agreed responsibilities to improve passenger confidence and encourage greater use of buses.