Better Transport

We're working to improve bus journeys.

Buses are important because:

• Two-thirds of public transport journeys are made by bus. They are a lifeline for many of us, allowing us to get to the shops, work, school, the GP and even to the train. Even in rural areas, 11% of households don’t have a car (we published a report (pdf) on how to improve rural bus services)
• People can't leave their cars behind without buses. Buses provide the vital link between different kinds of sustainable transport – train, tram, taxi, cycling and walking – so good door-to-door public transport cannot happen without them
• More bus use would reduce traffic, cutting congestion and making cities nicer places to live and work in. In rural areas, reducing traffic helps to protect the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside
• Buses can help us tackle climate change. Travelling by car produces up to three times as much CO2 as travelling by bus

Unfortunately, buses often don't meet people's needs or provide a good alternative to the car. Buses don't go where people want to go, when they want to go or they cost too much. Bus services must be:

• Regular and frequent, with good evening and weekend services so people know they can always take the bus
• Reliable, with well-enforced priority over other traffic where necessary
• Affordable. In December 2008 we published research which shows that reducing bus and rail fares and increasing motoring and aviation taxes could lead to a 13% cut in carbon emissions by 2025. Getting the price right is vital if we’re going to tackle climate change.
• Providing a high quality, accessible, comfortable service for everyone
• Linked in with trains, taxis, cycling and walking
• Well promoted so that people can find out easily about where the buses go

Buses should be supported by:

• More Government and local authority funding to stop bus cuts and fare rises 
• Local authorities giving buses priority while introducing higher parking charges and car free areas
• Cooperation between bus companies and transport authorities
• Regulation of buses by transport authorities so that where the free market isn't working, the bus network can be planned so that it meets people's needs
• New Integrated Transport Authorities which mean that local authorities can plan transport over a wider area and have more money and political will to improve public transport
• Planning policies that make sure the bus is a good option for people in new housing  

You're part of the solution
While the Government needs to do a great deal, there are ways you can help to improve buses:

• Vital bus services are threatened by Government spending cuts; find out what you can do.
• If you want to improve your local bus service, read our online guide.
• Local campaigners are doing a great deal to improve bus services -- often with success! Find local campaigners in your area.
• If you want better buses, support our work.

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