Responses to Local Bus Survey to Help Inform Service Improvements
Evelyn Tweed MSP and Alyn Smith MP collected views from constituents through an online survey designed to inform improvements to local bus services
626 respondents answered this survey, which sought to understand bus use and areas for improvement. Questions asked how often respondents used the bus, which routes they used, and how they typically access information.
Respondents were also asked to give the number of routes, the condition of the bus fleet, bus fare pricing and accessibility a score out of five, to identify areas for improvement.
When asked what would make participants use the bus more frequently, factors such as reliability, frequency, cheaper fares, more direct routes, and availability of seats were highlighted. Answers also suggested new routes and changes to timetables across the constituency to better suit local residents.
A report detailing overall trends and anonymised issues will be presented to McGills to help inform improvements to bus services across the whole of Stirling.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:
‘Bus services across Stirling had reached a new low point in recent years, with the impact of the pandemic straining an already creaking system. Now under new management, this is our opportunity to work collectively across the public and private sector to rebuild a bus service fit for the needs of Stirling. I’m grateful to everyone who responded to our survey, and know that McGill’s will take the feedback on during their business transformation. Increasing public transport use is key to tackling climate change, and there’s an important job ahead in restoring this key service.’
Commenting, Evelyn Tweed MSP said:
‘As a constituency with a big rural area, public transport is a lifeline and it’s vital that the bus service meets the needs of the population. Improving public transport infrastructure will reduce our impact on the environment and help with climate change targets. I was delighted by the large, engaged and positive response this survey received, and want to express my gratitude to the people that took the time to respond. I look forward to working with McGills to improve the service.
We have heard that many young people have yet to take up the opportunity of free bus travel through the NEC scheme, and I encourage them to do so, especially given the rising cost of living.
Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGills group said:
“This survey has been extremely helpful and McGill’s are grateful to Evelyn Tweed MSP and Alyn Smith MP for conducting this”
“The survey confirms what we understood to be the case prior to our acquisition of the business and is also aligned to our plan for the area. There are significant headwinds in the shape of the economic realities but we are making good progress with our plan and the bus users of the wider Stirling area will be starting to experience the evidence of this progress.”
“McGill’s are happy that there are two engaged local politicians who care deeply about bus users and bus services and we look forward to working with them to improve the bus offering in the area.”
