Fiona Dobbie, Susan McConville & Rachel Ormston
Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)
ISBN 978 0 7559 9293 5 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (436k)
This report is accompanied by a Research Finding
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
Methods
Main Findings
Experience and knowledge of local bus travel
General perceptions of local buses
Individual journey choices
Attitudes to future bus use
Suggested improvements
Conclusions and Recommendations
1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
Policy and research context
The role of buses in Scottish Government policy
Trends in bus use in Scotland
Existing research on attitudes to bus travel
Variations in use of and attitudes to buses
Disabled travellers
The role of qualitative research in understanding bus use
Aims and objectives of the study
Report structure
2 METHODS
Introduction
Who was involved
'Infrequent passengers' and 'non-bus users'
Focus group sample
Sample of disabled people
Data collection techniques
Facilitating participation
Data analysis
Reporting conventions
Challenges of discussing bus travel with people who do not use buses (often)
3 EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF BUS TRAVEL
Introduction
Last experience of using local buses
General impressions of recent bus journeys
Experience of using buses abroad or in other cities
Knowledge of local bus services
Sources of information about buses
Key points
4 GENERAL PERCEPTIONS OF LOCAL BUSES
Introduction
Views of local bus services
Bus drivers
Other passengers
Physical condition of buses
Bus stops
Bus times and timetables
Bus routes
Fares
Factors that appeared to influence views of local buses
Image of a typical 'bus passenger'
Comparisons between buses and trains
Key points
5 INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY CHOICES
Introduction
Typical journeys
Choice of transport - the journey to work
Choice of transport - other kinds of journeys
Key points
6 ATTITUDES TO FUTURE BUS USE
Could participants use the bus to travel to work?
Could participants use the bus for other kinds of journeys?
General attitudes to future bus use
What would encourage people to use buses more in the future?
Drivers
Other passengers
Physical condition of buses
Bus stops
Timing and timetables
Routes
Fares and tickets
Disincentives to use cars
Key points
7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for policy and practice
Marketing buses to 'potential passengers'
Dealing with complaints and highlighting improvements
Costs and pricing
Recommendations for research
Improving survey questions on reasons for not using buses
Research on bus industry marketing
REFERENCES
ANNEX A - SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE, ADVANCED LETTERS AND LEAFLET
Focus group screening questionnaire
Leaflet for focus group participants
Leaflet for participants with mobility problems
Leaflet for participants with learning disabilities
ANNEX B - TOPIC GUIDES
Focus groups topic guide
Topic guide for people with a physical disability
Topic guide for people with a learning disability
Barriers to bus use exercise
ANNEX C - OUTLINE CHARTING MATRIX
The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.