Transport User Voice – February 2019 – Buses on the Strategic Road Network

04 February 2019

Which issues matter most to passengers and stakeholders?

Highways England is investigating priorities for improving how bus services run on motorways and major ‘A’ roads, as part of its accessibility strategy.

Transport Focus is working in partnership with Highways England and the Campaign for Better Transport to gain insight into passenger and stakeholder views about which issues matter most to bus users and operators, and how they could be tackled.

The goal is to identify opportunities to improve the bus provision, whether that is about signage, junctions, bus stops, crossings, traffic management or any other aspect of highway design as it affects bus services.

This project looks at two case study locations in England. The first focuses on the M32/Junction 1 in the Bristol area, looking at how to improve the way buses cross and get on or off the Highways England network; and the other case study focuses on part of the A27 from Falmer to Polegate via Lewes, looking at routes travelling primarily along a major ‘A’ road. Two local bus operators, First West of England in Bristol and Brighton & Hove Buses, are supporting the work to provide operational insight.

Driver interviews, focus groups with passengers and stakeholder workshops have taken place during January. Passenger views will also be sought for both case studies by using a questionnaire.

A toolkit and best practice guide will be developed for bus provision on Highways England’s roads, based on the findings of the case studies and wider experience.

Transport Focus hopes this project will uncover what bus passengers and bus companies want from Highways England, and support the development of measures that could be considered for inclusion in the company’s future investment plans.

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