Hopkin, Vance and Balcombe – DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1996

Description

The Transport Research Laboratory assessed Buckinghamshire’s public transport information through surveys (450 users), a Milton Keynes map usability test, and a literature review. Users relied mainly on personal timetables/maps and bus-stop displays; TraveLine (telephone enquiries) was the preferred source for unfamiliar services but had limited awareness. Awareness was highest for Area Travel Guides and stop timetables; leaflets, the County Sunday Guide and TraveLine News were little used. Many users valued having guides and maps at home; conventional, human-centred and telephone services were preferred over unfamiliar technologies. The literature reinforced that planning-phase information is critical, mixed information packages can be cost-effective and real-time displays are valued though patronage effects vary. Recommendations: retain and better promote Area Guides and TraveLine, cease universal home distribution of guides in favour of targeted distribution/vouchers (saving ~£135k annually), reallocate savings to TraveLine staffing, bus-stop information and advertising, redesign poor maps, discontinue low-use leaflets and the Sunday Guide, and review station information while monitoring impacts.