Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Apr/May 98

On the Buses #2

Nation Federation of Bus Users

What was your last experience of a bus journey? Good? Bad? Awful? If the latter springs to mind, you are not alone!

The image of a dirty, expensive, late running rust bucket on wheels is one that's been around for too long. The reality (in most cases) is somewhat different, but the poor picture I've just painted will take a long time to vacate some peoples minds.

So tackling the problem of image raises it's head, and it's not just the bus itself I'm talking about. For many individuals, the "image" problem lies with themselves - they won't use buses "because they're buses". Teenagers can't wait to pass their driving test. A generation of people have "grown out" of bus travel.

Of course there are historical reasons for the decline in bus travel. For years the service was a lot poorer than is provided now. Bus fares shot up as the decline in use set in, and it became easier to own a car.

Now, thankfully, the bus industry is fighting back. In Birmingham, Travel West Midlands has almost single-handedly improved the image of the bus. A huge investment in new vehicles, innovative new ideas and marketing, and it's parent company's ownership of Central Trains rail franchise has lead to some welcome integration of bus and rail services. Of course there is still a long way to go, but the spiralling decline in bus use appears to have been stemmed.

Other agencies such as Centro and the City Council need to really push harder to give the bus the priority it deserves. But users need up to date information at bus stops, information on how to make connecting "seamless" journeys, and how much it will cost. Motorists need to know that if they persist in bringing their cars into the City Centre, they should expect to play second fiddle to public transport. A greater use of park & ride needs to be investigated. Also, the plan to further pedestrianise large chunks of the City Centre needs further debate. Buses still need to penetrate the City Centre.

The publication, shortly, of the Government's white paper on transport will reveal just how "green" our political leaders really are. People's perceptions of buses need to change. As bus users, and people who appreciate the wider environmental advantages increased bus use will bring, let's get out there and positively promote buses and public transport wherever we can, not by being anti-car, but pro-bus!

The National Federation of Bus Users is currently establishing a bus user group in Birmingham. If you would like more details of membership/meetings, etc please contact NFBU's Midlands officer

Phil Tonks, on 0860 721 554 or fax 01384 244 350

or write to

Phil Tonks, NFBU

Ed note: Friends of the Earth Birmingham has produced it's own report entitled "The Bus Stops Here" (available from Reception for £1.70) and is campaigning for improved information and better services.