Our buses should be delightful
Public buses, as they stand, are simply not good enough. Too often, they feel like a last resort, something people use because they have no other option, not because they want to. That’s a problem. Public transport should be a first choice, not a fallback. I want to change that by making buses something people genuinely prefer to use. Especially when going in hubs such as town or along London Road.
To do that, we need to focus on the basics and get them right. Buses must be cheap. It shouldn't be cheaper to maintain a car than uses buses. It is now free for children to travel, which is a step in the right direction for families, but not enough to get us all using them.
Our buses must be reliable. There is nothing more frustrating than a service that turns up late, or worse, not at all. People plan their lives around transport, and when it fails, everything else is disrupted.
Cleanliness and comfort are also important. No one wants to sit on a dirty seat or travel in a space that feels neglected. Buses should be welcoming, well maintained, and comfortable enough to make the journey pleasant, not something to endure. If we want people to choose buses, the experience has to feel like a good one.
Routes and timings also need to reflect real life. Buses should go where people actually want to go, and run when people actually need them. That means better planning, smarter scheduling, and listening to the communities that rely on these services every day.
We need regular buses to the hospitals. No one should have to pay for expensive taxis to receive medical treatment or essential tests.
Something I rarely hear is that the waiting experience matters. Bus stops should offer proper shelter from the rain, a windbreak, and a decent place to sit. They make a big difference, especially in bad weather.
Clear, honest communication is another key area. GPS screens and online updates must tell the truth. If a bus is delayed or cancelled, passengers deserve to know, along with a clear explanation. Transparency shows respect for people’s time and helps them make informed decisions.
There is already progress being made, with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard working to bring buses under public ownership.
If elected, I would work closely with Oliver Coppard to ensure our bus services truly serve the us. My goal is simple: to transform buses from a necessity into a delight, something we choose to use because they works for us.
