Published: 18 Jul 23
Buses are a vital part of public transport in the UK – allowing young people to go to college or school, enabling pensioners to see their family and friends, and connecting people to work opportunities they would not otherwise consider. Buses sustain town centres, strengthen communities and help towards protecting the environment.
In 2021 the Government launched the National Bus Strategy setting out its vision of improved bus services and provided authorities with additional funding to ‘build back better’ bus services via the Bus Service Improvement Plans. Its main aim is to get more people travelling by bus but this can only be achieved if buses are made more practical and attractive as an alternative to the car.
Over the last few years we have been working with our local residents to gather thoughts and intelligence on the local bus service. In summer 2021 we asked for opinions to help form the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which outlined how we at the Council, alongside bus operators in the district, would improve bus services in order to receive extra finding, which we were successful to be awarded £2.6 million.
Last summer we asked about the changes and improvements made so far, to find out how satisfied residents were with local public bus services. Now, we want to gather views on ticketing improvements in the last year, the £2 National Single Fare Cap Scheme, your experiences of the service in recent months, suggestions for improvements, changes to existing bus services, and views on new bus services we are expecting to introduce in the coming months.
To take part, please complete the online survey by midnight on Sunday 10 September 2023: https://westberks.gov.uk/wbbussurvey2023
Paper copies of the survey are also available. Please call: 01635 519394 or email: transport@westberks.gov.uk to request. Read More...