Improving public transport infrastructure

Summary

Installing modern, user-friendly infrastructure was identified as an effective way of attracting passengers to Preston’s public transport system.

Implementing sustainable mobility

In an attempt to tackle increasing congestion and pollution, the city of Preston was already making efforts to market its public transport system. However, passenger confidence could only be improved by making changes to the public transport infrastructure in order to enhance the image of the system and improve security.

The objective of the measure was therefore to attract people to use the public transport service by creating optimised and user-friendly infrastructure, including sheltered bus stops, a better maintenance regime with a hotline for reporting faults and damage, more bike parking, real-time information and better bus prioritisation.

Progress

Specific activities included:

• upgrading approximately 150 bus stops in the Preston and South Ribble area;
• installing new signs at minor interchanges indicating local services such as shops and the railway station;
• improving the quality and quantity of transport information available at stops;
• introducing traffic-calming measures to improve service reliability;
• installing bike parking facilities at all stations and interchanges; and
• introducing a transport information kiosk at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Outcomes

The measure resulted in upgraded bus shelters at approximately 150 stops, and improved information and accessibility. It also included a security audit and a “Safer Routes to Bus Stops” programme, with management systems for the monitoring and maintenance of cleaner stops and quality shelters. At the end of the implementation period, a rise in customer satisfaction could be measured, but there was not yet a rise in public transport passenger numbers.

This fact sheet has been updated by a third party on the basis of available information (not by the city itself), therefore we do not guarantee any data with respect to their content, completeness or up-to-dateness.