Better Transport

Perception matters. If a form of public transport is not viewed positively, it will never be considered by someone when they are planning their journey. For car dependency to be cut, people need to have a good perception of public transport.

They do in the East Midlands – or at least, here more than anywhere else people say they are satisfied with the local bus services. Bus fares haven’t risen much compared to other regions and the bus network has grown.

In many cases, people in the East Midlands are facing a ‘middling’ situation – not the worst, not the best. But certainly, they would find it easier to leave their cars at home a bit more often if train stations were easier to get to. The region scored very low for having few Access for All-accredited stations and the lowest number of station travel plans, which help people get to train stations without a car.

Your turn

What do you think of these results? Score the scorecard.

Want to know more? Read the full research or a summary report. 

Some comments we've received

John Moore in Northampton: "I’d say Northamptonshire is VERY car dependent and it is quite hard to get around by bus – it's the east-west channel which is hard, the county is quite large geographically... also logic of bus and rail fares and the sheer number of bus companies and ticket types.  On a positive note my employers runs a shuttle bus between sites for free!"

Jennie Beck in Derby: "The buses are reliable, frequent and run late into the night at weekends. However, there are few buses that link the railway stations into their routes. Cycle paths are often not joined up, but there are bike racks and lockables in the town centre. People are not as snobbish as I found in my old home in Hampshire about using public transport and there is a good buzz of conversation on the buses."

Louise Cooper in Mapperley: "Although Nottingham is about half the distance from London of my previous home - Manchester - with last trains back at about 9.30pm on a Saturday night (I work Sundays) I feel like I've gone back into the dark ages in terms of getting to and from the capital where a lot of friends and family live and many cultural events take place on Saturday nights. Friends keep asking if I'm going to get a car now, the answer is still No - but less stubborn people, more determined, not prepared to cut back on having a life for their principles, will get cars and use them. Buses are not bad within the region but exact fare only buses are a real nuisance and also discourage people from casually deciding to get a bus - it requires forethought."

P M Thorne in Leicester: "In Leicester it is massively expensive to travel into town as follows: Single fare is £1.20; so for my wife and I into town for shopping or a meal £1.20 x 2 x 2 = £4.80. I have a car which is paid for and 4 hours parking in a secure car park £3.60 (it's only a mile so fuel is of no consequence). Although I cycle and walk for certain purposes neither are practical. I have asked the transport planning manager why this is so he say he has no control over bus fares! Joined up thinking? I think not."

Regional results

East Midlands East of England North East North WestSouth EastSouth West West Midlands Yorkshire & the Humber