Transport and Travel Research Ltd – BUS PASSENGER INFORMATION STUDY 1994

Description

Phase 1 of a three-phase study surveyed 1,278 households and 526 visitors across Hertfordshire, North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to assess bus passenger information needs. Respondents split evenly between regular and occasional users; the household sample skewed older, lower-income, with many retired and lower car ownership (54% of households own a car; 38% licensed drivers). Overall service quality was judged only adequate. Awareness and use of existing information was low and infrequent: many stops lack basic information and most people rely on printed timetables or no information. Passengers want timetables at home, better stop/station displays and telephone hotlines; real-time/telematics were widely seen as useful and most users could operate new technologies. Improved, targeted information—balanced against cost—could modestly increase patronage. Visitors were younger, less familiar with local services but receptive to conventional and new media. Phases 2–3 will design and test improved information systems.