Better buses are on the agenda for Cheshire with transport chiefs keen to see passenger numbers rise, writes Stephen Topping.
Members of the Cheshire and Warrington local transport body agreed on Thursday to work on developing a bus strategy for the area over the next year.
It is hoped the work could lead to an improved bus network for more passengers – particularly younger people looking to get to work without a car, with figures from the local transport body stating that 39% of 20 to 29-year-olds do not have a driving licence.
Roy Newton, from the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “Bus use is relatively low at the moment – although it is at a stabilised level.
“If we want to increase and double our economy by 2040, how do we make transport networks cope with that and how can we make the bus play a stronger role?
“It will not be ‘one size fits all’ but it will develop a framework with the three local authorities which recognises there will be a different emphasis in each borough, with different options and different opportunities.
“So it will not be a single ‘this is how you do it’ approach, but more about how we can maximise opportunities and make best use of the bus network.”
In a report presented at Thursday’s meeting, the local transport body highlighted that Cheshire currently has an underused bus network as a result of poor connections, poor journey frequencies and limited availability of services.
It also suggested bus services had not adapted from the traditional 9am to 5pm workday, while the number of evening and weekend services has also been reduced.
The bus strategy is set to consider how buses can become more environmentally friendly – such as being run on hydrogen – as well as consider how buses can best meet the needs of older or disabled people.
Work will also take place with transport bosses in Greater Manchester and Merseyside to look at how cross-border services could run in future.
Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, welcomed the move.
He said: “It fits in with our objectives as a council to encourage the use of more sustainable transport so we are really keen to be a working part of that.”
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