Campaign for Better Transport launches ‘Bus Stop Stories’ campaign

9 February 2026

Bus Stop Stories features videos of bus passengers from around the country taking about what buses mean to them and why the quality of information and facilities available at bus stops matter. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of bus stops in increasing bus patronage and how continued investment in bus stops could increase bus use and transform lives.

It calls on the Government to ensure that the statutory guidance being developed under the Bus Services Act 2025 acts as a robust and comprehensive National Bus Stop Standard and to work with local transport authorities to deliver improvements quickly.

Michael Solomon Williams, Head of External Affairs at Campaign for Better Transport, said: “I travelled a thousand miles around England and Wales by bus, asking passengers for their Bus Stop Stories. Time and again, people said how important clear information, safe shelters and comfortable waiting areas are, but sadly these are missing in too many places making catching the bus unappealing, and more difficult than it should be. A National Bus Stop Standard which prioritises accessibility, safety, comfort and up-to-date information could change this and transform bus journeys for the millions of people use buses every day.”

Campaign for Better Transport research found that whilst 86 per cent of people live within a ten-minute walk of their nearest bus stop, almost a quarter (23 per cent) are put off using the bus because of poorly maintained bus shelters.

• Only half of survey respondents said their nearest bus stop has a shelter
• Just 16 per cent have up-to-date maps of routes in the area
• Only 31 per cent have an up-to-date timetable
• Just 16 per cent have access to live updates about bus arrivals.

Yet simple improvements – like an up-to-date legible timetable – would encourage people to travel by bus more frequently with more than half (52 per cent) of people saying they would use buses more if they had better information at bus stops.

A robust and comprehensive national guidance on the specific facilities and information appropriate for different types of bus stops would help address the issues around poor bus stops and help encourage more people to use the bus. Campaign for Better Transport is currently convening a sector-wide working group to help feed into the guidance being developed.

You can find out more about #BusStopStories on Campaign for Better Transport social media channels or on its website at bettertransport.org.uk/bus-stop-stories.

ENDS

For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. Survey of bus users undertaken as part of Campaign for Better Transport’s report: Better Bus Stops: Creating a national bus stop standard.
2. In October 2025, Michael Solomon Williams travelled 1,000 miles by bus around England and Wales interviewing bus passengers for Campaign for Better Transport’s Bus Stop Stories Campaign.
3. Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high-quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life, reduces inequality, and supports a vibrant, productive and decarbonised economy. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).