Bus satisfaction in England rises to 83% in 2024

Passenger satisfaction with buses in England has increased, according to a recent survey by the watchdog Transport Focus. In 2024, overall satisfaction rose to 83%, up from 80% in 2023. This improvement reflects "positive changes" made in the bus service. Transport Focus noted that significant investments in bus service improvements and a cap on fares have contributed to this rise in satisfaction. Both policies were implemented by the Conservative government. The survey revealed that passengers in Derby City reported the highest satisfaction, scoring 92%. In contrast, West Yorkshire had the lowest satisfaction at 77%. East Sussex and Warrington showed notable improvement, each increasing their scores by eight percentage points to 87% and 85%, respectively. The survey included responses from about 41,000 passengers across 39 areas in England, focusing on aspects like the onboard experience and punctuality. Transport Focus's director, Louise Collins, commented on the positive changes and the collaborative efforts that have improved journeys for passengers. She also pointed out the significant differences in scores across local areas, noting that some passengers still face challenges with bus services. Local transport minister Simon Lightwood emphasized that councils are effectively using bus service funding. He mentioned the upcoming Bus Services Bill, which aims to give more control to local leaders for better service operation. He also highlighted government investment to improve service frequencies and infrastructure. Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, welcomed the rise in satisfaction. He acknowledged the strong partnerships between bus operators and local authorities. Vidler urged policymakers to focus on passenger needs to ensure continued improvements in service quality. Finally, it is important to note that the Labour Government recently increased the cap on single bus fares from £2 to £3, affecting many passengers across England.