Bruce and Ennor – PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TRANSPORT AGENCIES AND INFORMATION 1976

Description

This report describes a small-scale survey in Sunderland (four interviews before and after April 1973) assessing public awareness of bus operators, recognition of the Tyneside PTE symbol, sources of travel information, and opinions of service adequacy following the PTE’s takeover of Sunderland Corporation buses. 672 pedestrians were interviewed about travel habits, who owned the “green” buses, how they would obtain route/timetable information, and whether services were adequate. Key findings: public awareness of the change of operator was low—75% correctly named the Corporation before the takeover, but after it 56% still believed the Corporation owned the buses and only about 20% named the PTE. Recognition of the PTE symbol averaged ~18% (31% in Newcastle for comparison). After the PTE issued a pocket timetable, stated use of timetables rose from ~2% to ~11%, while reliance on personal enquiries declined. Regular and green-bus users, males and younger people showed higher awareness. Opinions on adequacy were mixed, with complaints about unreliability and overcrowding. The publicity campaign had limited impact; the new timetable proved somewhat useful.