According to results of a recent survey, bus users have placed Cheshire East Council in the top ten of UK local authorities for how satisfied they are with their bus services.
The survey by the independent public transport watchdog 'Transport Focus,' found that user satisfaction in the borough's services was 88 per cent – a five per cent increase on
last year's results.
Cheshire East residents should also see these services further improve after a £5m Department for Transport's Local Bus Grant was approved at a meeting of the council's highways and transport committee yesterday (19 June). This funding will support implementation of the council's latest Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "I am delighted to see the results of this survey, which indicates that we are definitely on the right track with our buses. But there is much more we can do, especially in encouraging car owners to switch to using buses.
"We can do that by providing attractive, reliable and convenient connections. We are therefore also investing in upgrading bus stops on key routes, as well as introducing new digital displays at key locations that show the real time of the next bus.
"These will help people realise that the bus can be a great alternative to using their car. It will lead to fewer car trips and reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and our carbon emissions. All this is contained in our new Bus Service Improvement Plan, which is the blueprint for our bus services.
"Buses though are the unsung hero of public transport. Every year, UK buses carry twice as many passengers as trains. However, buses only get a fraction of the funding government invests in the railways. So, if we are to encourage more people out of their cars, then spending more money on buses will be the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to do it. This survey shows that when we get government money, we spend it wisely."
Councillor Lata Anderson, Cheshire East Council's member champion for buses, said: "Like Councillor Goldsmith, naturally I am extremely pleased to see the results of the latest customer satisfaction survey, which is a credit to the Cheshire East Bus Partnership and the collaboration with local bus operators. I've always been very pleased with the service every time I use the buses and find the drivers extremely friendly and helpful.
"The confirmation we received yesterday, that as a result of this DfT grant funding we can continue with the excellent work that led to the positive survey result, is great news for all concerned."
