Better Transport

Waiting for the bus should be a pleasant experience but too often bus stops are unsheltered or dirty and bus stations are run down. Improving your bus stops and bus station could really make a difference.

What’s the problem you’re trying to solve? Do other passengers agree things could be improved? Can you show there is a problem, for example, by taking photos that show the bad condition of the bus stops or bus station?

Talk to your transport authority about the improvements you think are needed. Find out why the bus stops or bus station are not in good condition and what the authority is or could be doing about it. Explain why people need better bus stops/a better bus station. Show them any evidence you’ve collected.

If your transport authority doesn’t want to improve your bus stop or bus station, remind them that the law gives them the powers to make improvements to bus shelters, and that Government guidance encourages them to do so:

"Appropriate additional facilities and services connected with bus services should be provided (this includes bus stations, bus shelters, bus priorities, information about bus services, etc but also interchanges and integration with other modes)."

Encourage your transport authority to work in partnership with the bus companies to improve things. Voluntary agreements and statutory quality partnerships often involve the transport authority improving facilities like bus stops and stations. In return, the bus company could offer a more frequent service or higher quality buses. The authority may wish to look at the possibility of making deals with advertising companies to use adverts on shelters to help pay for improvements.

Partnerships can also bring in new money to improve bus stations. Train stations have been improved through partnerships.Could you push for a similar agreement to improve your local bus station?

Take advantage of any opportunities such as new housing or retail developments. You could make sure the developer plays their part and contributes funding to bus stops or bus stations.

Be sure to look at our general bus campaigning tips and to use bus facts to support your work. 

• Increased reliability
• More priority for buse
• Better stations and stops  
• Clearer signage 
• Low-floor buses
• More buses 
• Lower fares