A call for a set of standardised guidelines regarding producing printed information at bus stops is included in a new report produced jointly by Optibus and Campaign for Better Transport.
Better Bus Stops: Setting a Standard for Printed Passenger Information also encourages local authorities to secure funding to adequately meet the new standards.
Meanwhile, the report also says improved data infrastructure and collaboration would improve timescales for local authorities and ultimately passenger satisfaction.
Innovation, training and best-practice sharing, as well as monitoring of compliance is the fifth and final recommended “next step”.
In follow-up to Campaign for Better Transport’s call last December for a “national bus stop standard”, the new report focuses on challenges which need to be met to provide quality printed information for passengers.
It drew insights from the work of 10 councils across England, including Essex, West Midlands, Durham, Hertfordshire, and Cornwall.
It notes that, in some rural areas, up to 1,500 stops have no physical infrastructure for posting timetables.
At Essex County Council, the job of collating information from 40 bus operators to update timetables at 6,000 bus stops is done by just five people, the work from Campaign for Better Transport and Optibus identified.
The report also highlighted that West Midlands Combined Authority handled some timetable updates in 2024 for 11,000 stops.
The authors of the report say the narrow window between the operator submitting an application to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner and a new bus service going into operation results in a “significant resource bottleneck for local authorities and bus operators”.
Also encouraged is the need for guidelines on font clarity and overall legibility of the printed timetables at bus stops, and the need for consistency of presentation across operators.
The precise information which should be shown on each bus stop is also advised by the report. For example, a clear “stop name/identifier” and a QR code linking to online information are two of the requisites for all stops.
Ben Plowden, Campaign for Better Transport CEO, says: “Effective information is not merely a convenience; it is a fundamental right for all bus passengers. This report meticulously lays out a path to achieve this, drawing on evidence and best practices from across the UK.
“By standardising and enhancing information provision, we can make bus travel a more attractive and accessible option, helping to tackle congestion, reduce emissions, and improve social equity. We must ensure that every passenger, regardless of their location or background, can rely on the information provided at their bus stop.”
Amos Haggiag, Optibus CEO, adds: “At Optibus, we recognise the critical role of information in making public transport seamless and user-friendly.
“By leveraging technology and innovative approaches, we can transform the passenger experience and create a more sustainable and efficient transport system for everyone.
“This report’s insights and recommendations align perfectly with our vision of a data-driven, passenger-centric future for public transport. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing its implementation across the UK.”
