Department of Transport – BETTER INFORMATION FOR BUS PASSENGERS 1996

Description

This Guide stresses that clear, timely passenger information is essential to make bus travel more attractive, boost ridership and reduce car dependency. A 1995 joint Working Group recommends stronger partnerships between local authorities and operators, joint marketing, designated responsibility within organisations and professional input. Good information—maps, area guides, timetables, travel centres, telephone helplines, enquiry terminals, bus-stop and on-vehicle displays, and real-time electronic systems—must be accurate, accessible at point of use and tailored to target markets. Consistent branding, coordinated service-change notices, inter-available ticketing (e.g. travelcards), multilingual and disability-friendly formats, and staff training are urged. Research shows high returns on information investment, but current provision is inconsistent and often hard to understand. The Guide calls for cost-sharing, clear roles, regular updating, simple readable design, and improved co-operation to deliver impartial, comprehensive information that encourages public transport use.