Transport and Travel Research Ltd – BUS PASSENGER INFORMATION STUDY 1994

Description

The Bus Passenger Information Study (Phase 3, 1994) evaluated what information passengers value, gaps in provision, and cost‑effective improvements. Phase 1 household and visitor surveys (1,250 and 600) showed regular users were often carless and reliant on buses, while occasional users more often had cars. Overall service quality was adequate but information provision was poor: passengers were uncertain who supplied information, used it infrequently, and wanted timetables at home, better stop information and telephone hotlines; telematics were seen as useful. Phase 3 tested improved printed and electronic materials with 717 respondents across Manchester, Birmingham, North Yorkshire and Hertfordshire, using comprehension tasks, ratings, unit allocation and willingness‑to‑pay exercises. Findings: clearer layouts, one route per sheet, front contents, larger type, minimal abbreviations and clear inbound/outbound marking improve usability; return journeys and alternative timetable formats caused more errors; regional differences affected preferences (e.g., at‑stop full timetables preferred in metros, real‑time displays more in shire counties). Two common preferred packages emerged combining home timetables, full at‑stop timetables and town posters.