If bus service was better more of us would use it

WE often hear the call for people to get out of their cars and on to the buses.

However, as a daily commuter by bus I have to say why would people want to change when, overall, the service provided is so poor? I use all of the big four companies regularly and often want to pull my hair out at how the service appears to be set up for them rather than the travelling public.

Examples include lack of buses in the evenings and weekends, timetables which are fiction, not fact, different services travelling virtually identical routes leaving at almost identical times, electronic information boards showing conflicting information and what should be happening rather than what is happening, some drivers not able to utilise the new onecard and who are unable, or unwilling, to communicate with passengers about delays or changes.

All of these could be easily fixed if someone put a rocket under the bus companies and got them to enter into a spirit of co-ordination, co-operation and communication, not only among each other but also with the most important people of all – the paying public. It is one thing the mayor creating bus lanes all over the city, but what is the point if the buses using them are half empty.

Why not embrace technology and unify ticket machines across the board, advertise and encourage use of the onecard, use GPS to have upto-date bus times at all bus stops, train drivers to engage with the passengers when there are problems.

Yes, it will cost money, but it will greatly increase the chances of getting more bums on bus seats rather than car seats leading to reduced congestion – which will speed journey times – and pollution.

We are in the early 21st century and yet our bus services seem to be stuck back in the early 20th and unless the big four get their act together and work together, then those with a choice will more often than not choose any alternative than the bus.

D Mathers