Bird – INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS 1973

Description

This 1973 M.Sc. research report, authored by Graham C. Bird for the University of Birmingham, provides a detailed, empirical investigation into passenger information systems across various UK public transport modes: bus, rail, air, and sea. Spanning 64 pages, including valuable appendices with real-world examples of timetables, maps, and service alteration notices, the study is grounded in direct interviews with operators, comprehensive enquiry office surveys, and a postal questionnaire to municipal bus companies. Bird critically assesses information provision in terms of publications, enquiry facilities, on-vehicle displays, and roadside signage. It highlights systemic defects, a notable lack of cost-effectiveness analysis by operators, and ‘parochial’ attitudes towards inter-modal information sharing. Concluding that information standards were generally poor with ample room for improvement, this document, despite its age, offers foundational insights into passenger needs and the complexities of delivering effective transport information, remaining highly pertinent for historical context and ongoing research in transport planning.