Are you satisfied with your local bus service - vote in our poll
A bus service in Yorkshire has been branded the "worst" in the country for passenger satisfaction - and we want to hear about your local service.
Transport Focus gathered passenger responses from 35,000 bus journeys across 34 local authorities, and found that Arriva in West Yorkshire has the least impressed commuters. This comes as just 66 percent of passengers in the region said they were happy with their last journey.
The survey found that those travelling in urban metropolitan areas were less satisfied (78%) on average compared to commuters making journeys elsewhere. It also pointed out that overall, 80 percent of bus passengers in England were satisfied with their most recent trip, while eight percent were dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, Stagecoach in Portsmouth was hailed the top-ranked operator, with a satisfaction score of 91 percent. It was reported that bus drivers can "make or break a journey", with passengers noting how carefully they drive and whether they wait until someone is seated before moving off.
Kim Cain, the area director for Arriva North East and Yorkshire, said: "It is clear we have not been performing as well as we'd want to. We're doing our best to try to put that right and we're keen to work with Transport Focus."
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Recent statistics from the Traffic Commissioners reveal there are just 8,781 registered bus routes available, a dramatic plunge from the 17,393 services running in 2010. More than 2,000 routes have been axed since 2021/2022 alone, with the West Midlands being the hardest hit.
What’s more, researchers from the University of Leeds, on behalf of Friends of the Earth, analysed every bus timetable in England and Wales since 2008. They found the number of urban services had fallen an average of 48 percent with rural services down 52 percent. Worst-hit regions are the East Midlands, with a 60 percent drop, Wales (57%) and the North East (52%).
Friends of the Earth said the "silent war on bus users" was hitting the poorest, those with disabilities, pensioners and ethnic minorities hardest, and hampering efforts to make transport greener.
Louise Haigh, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said: "The staggering decline in local bus services under this Government is nothing short of vandalism against our communities. Millions of people rely on these essential services, but they are being left without a voice as routes are cut back year after year."
Last year, Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), said: "Bus remains the nation's most popular type of public transport and passenger numbers are increasing year-on-year by over 10%. But bus operators are facing challenging economic conditions with industry costs up by 17% over the last year, according to CPT research."
In February, the government announced that "millions of people" in the North and the Midlands will benefit from better public transport and upgraded local bus and train stations, from the new £4.7 billion Local Transport Fund.
The GOV.UK websites reads: "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Mark Harper have confirmed that the North will receive £2.5 billion and the Midlands will receive £2.2 billion from April 2025 to improve local transport connections that so many people rely on every day, particularly across smaller cities, towns, and rural areas."
Following the latest survey, we want to know if you’re satisfied with your local bus service. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
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