Annex 3 - Bus Strategy 2006 - 2011

The adequate provision of bus information has been cited in several major consultation exercises as fundamental to encouraging bus use.  The provision of easy to use information is key for vulnerable groups or in particularly remote areas of the County.  

As already mentioned, the rural transport network in Cornwall is fairly extensive and over 96% of the population currently has access to a daily bus service.  It is important therefore, that we ensure people are fully aware of these services and provide as much information as possible in order to facilitate their use.  The investment required to provide information about bus services makes up a minor proportion of the overall public transport budget, and yet this is an area that has traditionally been neglected in comparison to service operation.  In keeping with the Government’s key approach of ‘value for money’, we recognise that the provision of bus service information will be a key measure in delivering the bus targets set out in the LTP2.

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We develop, in partnership with the operators, a Countywide Transport Guide twice a year. We will work with the operators to ensure that the change dates are minimised.   This guide is widely available at libraries, tourist information centres, Local Authority offices, service providers and transport interchanges throughout the County.  In order to ensure that people are aware of where and when to access the guide, we will distribute an information leaflet, targeting particular areas/households on an annual basis.  Past experience of doing this has resulted in a tenfold increase in the number of timetable requests.

We will maintain our policy of improving roadside information and the onus is on the bus operator to provide and maintain this information in the appropriate format.  Efforts will be made to ensure that public transport information in Cornwall meets the guidelines incorporated in the following ATCO publications:-

• Printed Public Transport Information – A Code of Good Practice (Revised May 2003).

• Printed Information at Bus Stops – Interim Good Practice Guidelines (November 2004).

Whilst the network-wide conversion to low-floor buses is not expected to be completed for at least 10 years, the DDA has placed other duties on all 'service providers', who must be prepared to make 'reasonable adjustments' to assist disabled people. Within the transport industry, this includes the provision of timetable information.

We will work with the Learning Disability Forum and representatives from the RNIB and RNID to seek ways to improve the presentation of transport information so that it is easy to access for everyone.

The full Bus Information Strategy is available as a supporting document to the LTP2 and can be accessed via www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport/ltp.  The provision of electronic information is covered under Section 6.10.