News Archive - Survey: Buses getting better

The number of people who are satisfied with local bus services has more than doubled in the last year, according to a survey for Thurrock Council.

Polling company mruk conducted a survey of members of Thurrock's Citizens Panel in July and found that 63 per cent of respondents who expressed a preference were either satisfied or very satisfied with local bus services. A survey in September 2003 put the figure at 30 per cent.

Equally, the number of passengers who were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied fell dramatically, from 59 per cent to 28 per cent.

Among those questioned in the survey who had used a service in the last 12 months, the overall satisfaction level was 60 per cent.

Passenger Transport Manager David Harley said: "This is a pleasing result and a reflection of the hard work that has been carried out by the council and local bus companies.

"We have introduced free bus travel for the over-60s and people with disabilities, distributed the public transport map to all Thurrock households, introduced bus telematics and worked with operators to improve services.

"However, our aim is 100 per cent passenger satisfaction, so it is clear that we still have some way to go and we are certainly not resting on our laurels."