Public transport has too many weak links making it difficult to switch from one mode to another, a report by an environmental group suggests.
Public transport has too many weak links making it difficult to switch from one mode to another, a report by an environmental group suggests.
Travellers polled for a Transport 2000 survey said buses did not connect with train times and stations had insecure cycle parking and poorly-lit footpaths.
Travellers polled for a Transport 2000 survey said buses did not connect with train times and stations had insecure cycle parking and poorly-lit footpaths.
The poll also said only 29% thought bus timetables were clear and accurate.
The poll also said only 29% thought bus timetables were clear and accurate.
The Department for Transport said it was working constantly to improve the integration of the transport network.
The Department for Transport said it was working constantly to improve the integration of the transport network.
Better buses
Better buses
A spokesman for the department said plans included improving access to railway stations, better integration with bus services and improved parking facilities.
A spokesman for the department said plans included improving access to railway stations, better integration with bus services and improved parking facilities.
He said £150m is to be invested into refurbishing and modernising 150 mid-sized stations, with a further £370m being spent on the Access for All station programme.
He said £150m is to be invested into refurbishing and modernising 150 mid-sized stations, with a further £370m being spent on the Access for All station programme.
The draft Local Transport Bill proposes greater powers for local authorities to improve the quality of local bus services, he added.
The draft Local Transport Bill proposes greater powers for local authorities to improve the quality of local bus services, he added.
Transport 2000 said the government had taken steps in the right direction but there was still some way to go.
Transport 2000 said the government had taken steps in the right direction but there was still some way to go.
The challenge now is encouraging them to make the switch and leave their vehicles at home Jonathan Morley, Trueform
The challenge now is encouraging them to make the switch and leave their vehicles at home Jonathan Morley, Trueform
Tara Melton, from the group, said: "Rail passengers need real travel choices. All stations should have good bus links, decent footpaths and secure cycle parking and must be accessible to all."
Tara Melton, from the group, said: "Rail passengers need real travel choices. All stations should have good bus links, decent footpaths and secure cycle parking and must be accessible to all."
The survey found 60% of respondents said that they would not feel safe leaving their bike at a train station and 62% said there was not a safe cycle route to the station.
The survey found 60% of respondents said that they would not feel safe leaving their bike at a train station and 62% said there was not a safe cycle route to the station.
Only 36% felt paths to their station were safe, well-lit and free of obstacles, Transport 2000 said.
Only 36% felt paths to their station were safe, well-lit and free of obstacles, Transport 2000 said.
Ms Melton added: "What our survey shows is that this clearly is not the case for many rural and urban stations, leaving many people with no choice but to drive to the station."
Ms Melton added: "What our survey shows is that this clearly is not the case for many rural and urban stations, leaving many people with no choice but to drive to the station."
Transport expert Christian Wolmar told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's actually illegal if there are two bus companies in a city for them to cooperate over fares, and that's because the Competition Commission doesn't allow it.
Transport expert Christian Wolmar told BBC Radio Five Live that some problems were caused by competition in the industry.
"It's actually illegal if there are two bus companies in a city for them to cooperate over fares, and that's because the Competition Commission doesn't allow it.
"So we have some daft practices that go back a long time."
"So we have some daft practices that go back a long time."
Dependent
Dependent
Meanwhile, in a separate survey almost three-quarters of people questioned said they thought there was too much reliance on the car in the UK.
Meanwhile, in a separate survey almost three-quarters of people questioned said they thought there was too much reliance on the car in the UK.
Transport services company Trueform Group found that despite this, more than half (56%) of adults in the survey drive their car every day,
Transport services company Trueform Group found that despite this, more than half (56%) of adults in the survey drive their car every day,
Drivers in Northern Ireland seemed most dependent with 64% driving daily, followed closely by the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside. In contrast, 26% of Londoners polled use their cars every day.
Drivers in Northern Ireland seemed most dependent with 64% driving daily, followed closely by the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside. In contrast, 26% of Londoners polled use their cars every day.
Trueform technical director Jonathan Morley said investment in rail, bus and other forms of public transport meant there was a viable alternative to car travel.
Trueform technical director Jonathan Morley said investment in rail, bus and other forms of public transport meant there was a viable alternative to car travel.
"The challenge now is encouraging them to make the switch and leave their vehicles at home," he said.
"The challenge now is encouraging them to make the switch and leave their vehicles at home," he said.
What is public transport like where you live? Are there proper links between buses and trains? Is it easy to cycle or walk to transport stations? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
What is public transport like where you live? Are there proper links between buses and trains? Is it easy to cycle or walk to transport stations? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
