Background
Bus Service Improvement Plans set out the vision for how local transport authorities and operators will work together to improve bus services.
Here’s our 10 point guide to developing an effective BSIP.
Community-centred
The needs and concerns of the people who live, work and visit an area should be the driving force behind transport planning and bus service delivery. BSIPS must be developed “in collaboration” with all key stakeholders.
Transport landscape
LTAs should outline the challenges and opportunities facing bus services in their BSIPs. They should assess current provision, including community transport and shared transport options, the barriers to travel, whether bus use is in growth or decline, and the wider social, economic and environmental benefits of improving services.
Accessible
Every stage of a bus journey should be accessible, from planning a trip and buying a ticket to the infrastructure, vehicle and overall experience. Community engagement, particularly with disability groups and passengers is critical in identifying and overcoming barriers to travel.
Inclusive
There are millions of people in the UK without access to a bank account, mobile device or internet access, and many more who are old, vulnerable, or have poor mental health. Transport poverty is particularly challenging for these groups and leads to loneliness and isolation. No one should be excluded from travelling by bus.
Affordable
Buses give people access to life’s opportunities through education, training and work. They improve health and wellbeing and are a green and sustainable transport option. Bus travel needs to be attractive enough that people choose to use it, and affordable enough that everyone can use it.
Available
BSPIs are expected to address the under and overprovision of bus services as well as integration with other modes. Using bus passenger data alone will ignore everyone not currently using the bus, as well as all those services where passenger data is not available. For services to be effective, they need to meet people’s needs and this can only be achieved through proper community engagement.
Prioritise buses
Delivering improvements to services and growing bus use are a fundamental requirement of BSIPs. Bus priority measures will ensure services are reliable and punctual, as well as faster and more convenient than travelling by private car, not only improving services but encouraging modal shift.
Air quality and zero emissions
LTAs will need to demonstrate how air quality will be improved and zero emissions achieved. Greener cars are not the solution given that pollution from tyre and brake wear is greater than exhaust emissions. A bus, however, can take up to 75 cars off the road so getting more people on board is the way to a greener, more sustainable future.
Monitoring
To make sure the aims of the BSIP are achieved, LTAs will need to set targets for customer satisfaction, passenger growth, journey times and reliability. Provision for monitoring services, at the very least annually, will also need to be set out to ensure the BSIP is effective.
Living document
BSIPs are not intended to be fixed, long-term transport plans. They should be revisited and updated regularly, to reflect changes in the transport landscape and the evolving needs of the community.
About Bus Users UK
Bus Users campaigns for inclusive, accessible transport. We are the only approved Alternative Dispute Resolution Body for the bus and coach industry and the designated body for handling complaints under the Passenger Rights in Bus and Coach Legislation. We are also part of a Sustainable Transport Group of organisations working to promote the benefits of public, shared and active travel.
Alongside our complaints work we investigate and monitor services and work with operators and transport providers to improve services for everyone. We run events, carry out research, respond to consultations, speak at government select committees and take part in industry events to make sure the voice of the passenger is heard.
Bus Users UK is a registered charity (1178677 and SC049144) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (04635458).