Transport Focus, an independent transport user watchdog in England, has held a series of workshops to explore how operators can make it easier for 16-18 year olds to use the bus.

They note that, although young people use the bus more than any other group of people, they’re the least satisfied with bus services. Explanations for this may include the ease, accessibility and cost of travelling by bus.

Transport Focus have published ‘a new best practice guide’. This is a document of recommendations designed to help bus operators and local authorities address these issues and engage with the 16-18 demographic.

David Sidebottom, Transport Focus Director, says: “Young people want using the bus to be as simple and intuitive as ordering pizza. Bus operators and local authorities must seize the opportunity to cater for their customers of the future.”

The ‘best practice guide’ reports on 5 workshops held by Transport Focus in Birmingham, Colchester, Exeter, Oxford and York earlier this year, with the aim of learning what young people want from their travel and what more they believe operators and local authorities can do. Young bus users, bus operators, local authorities, bus manufacturers and transport consultants were all present at the workshops.

Three key recommendations were highlighted in the workshops:

• Smart fares – discounted fares for 16 to 18-year olds that are easy to buy and understand
• One-stop nationwide bus app – one central source for information and ticketing provided by the bus industry that is intuitive, easy-to-use and accessed via an app that will earn its place on a young person’s phone
• Better on board – wi-fi and USB charge points at every seat.

Further recommendations were also made with regards to what bus operators and local authorities can do:

• Interaction with the driver – including driver attitude, better customer service training, and providing some degree of automated ticket purchase
• Tickets and fares – including payment options and technology, fare zones, discounts and easily accessible ticket prices
• Information provision – including real time information and personalisation towards young people

Please visit the Route One website for more information.

Information Source: Jessamy Chapman via Route One