INCREASING PUBLIC PASSENGER PATRONAGE (BUSES)

Planning Policy Guidance on transport (PPG 13) in England is a welcome deterrent to out-of-town retail and other developments, which undermine the viability of established urban centres. However, PPG 13 alone is inadequate to handle traffic congestion or encourage more use of public transport. In October 1994, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) UK commissioned a study to help the industry develop a strategy for increased and more efficient use of public transport. The study recommended a strategy for the future, based on six public transport needs that it identified. Relevant agencies should work together through Quality Partnerships, each of which is an agreement between transport providers, and those who provide and manage the infrastructure, to achieve various transport goals. It is especially important to provide better bus services, to attract road users from car to public transport. Such partnerships are part of the CPT's commitment to sustainable development. They can meet customer needs by providing: (1) reliable services through better management and bus priority measures; (2) improved information; (3) more convenient ticketing; (4) accessible buses; (5) good customer service; (6) better marketing; (7) fairer taxation; and (7) the local political will to relieve congestion. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 896867.