Bus Stop Stories

Hello Supporter

Bus stops really matter. That became clear very quickly when I set out on a journey around England and Wales, travelling from as far west as Penzance to as far east as Clacton-on-Sea. Over 1,000 miles, I travelled through 792 bus stops across 30 towns and cities.

The aim of my trip was to gather Bus Stop Stories, hearing directly from bus passengers about their experiences.

Millions of people use bus stops every day. But in many places, bus stops lack route maps, timetables or real-time information about when the next buses are coming, and many also lack seating and shelter. This makes catching the bus unappealing, and more difficult than it should be.

Time and again, people told me how important clear information, safe shelters and comfortable waiting areas are.

At one bus stop, Annabel told me:

There was a sense that provision had slipped backwards: cost-cutting, over-reliance on smartphones, and an assumption that everyone can or should look things up online. This felt unfair to many people and clearly risks digital exclusion. 

At another bus stop, Adam said:

Let's make bus stops better

Don't get me wrong: in some places, bus stops are brilliant. And more improvements are coming: following our report, Better Bus Stops: creating a national bus stop standard, the Government has committed to deliver statutory guidance for local authorities on the design and maintenance of bus stops.

But to have a real impact, this guidance must act as a robust and comprehensive National Bus Stop Standard, which prioritises accessibility, safety, comfort and up-to-date information.

Sign our letter calling on Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Roads and Buses, to support better bus stops.

Let's show just how important bus stops are in our lives and communities. 

While we want to see better bus stops everywhere, this particular action applies to England. You can also support better bus stops by sharing our #BusStopStories posts on social media.

Bus Stop Stories: watch the video

Goodbye till next time

Michael

Michael Solomon Williams
Head of External Affairs
Campaign for Better Transport