Real reasons people refuse to catch a bus

Health issues, failing to takemedications – Union boss

Asurvey into Bay of Plenty’s public transport system has found most people don’t catch the bus because it’s more convenient for them to drive.

However, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of those respondents said they would consider using a bus in the future.

The survey of non-bus users comes as Bay of Plenty authorities considerhowto encouragemode shift in local residents, making it easier for people to swap cars for bikes, buses or walking as part of future-proofing the city.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Public Transport Committee will meet today to go over the survey’s findings. Aseparate survey of bus users will also be reviewed.

The surveys, carried out by Key Research from August to October, showed 34 per cent of non-bus survey respondentswhosaid they would not consider using a bus in the future cited independence, convenience and hygiene. Fifty-eight per cent cited convenience for using private transport.

Whenasked what wouldmake public transport more appealing, 39 per cent of respondents said a change of bus routes, bus stops, accessibility and better terminals.

Commentsexplainingsome people’s reasons for not catching buses included that they didn’t have to carry asmuchin a car aswhen travelling by bus. Another said other people on the bus were the reason. “Some of them could have issues and

I just don’t want to see or hear that kind of thing if it happens.”

Despite not being passengers, 64 per cent of respondents in Tauranga said the main benefit of public transport was the elimination of parking and vehicle costs.

Of bus userswhowere surveyed, 76 per cent rated the local public transport service “very positively”, an increase from the 56 per cent in 2018. Of respondents, 88 per cent were likely to recommendpublic transport to others, which was also an increase from 77 per cent in 2018.