Bus Users has launched a 10-point manifesto for change in the run-up to the General Election 2015. 

While buses make a vital and significant contribution to the economy, they still seem to be overlooked by policy makers, under-funded by central and local government and treated like the ‘Cinderella’ of transport services. Bus Users wants to see the new Government make buses a priority.

The Manifesto is calling for:

1. Enhanced bus priority measures in town and city centres to improve reliability and journey times, encouraging people out of their cars and onto the bus;
2. Accessible stopping points with better facilities and enhanced passenger information, positioned closer to shopping and business centres to boost local economies;
3. Fully funded concessions made available to unemployed people and those on low incomes to open up better life chances;
4. Widespread on-board facilities such as audio visual information, phone charging and Wi-Fi;
5. Better timetable coordination with schools, colleges and employment;
6. Improved integration across all transport modes;
7. Mandatory driver training to improve awareness of issues relating to mobility, disability and mental health and improve communication skills with passengers;
8. Measures to improve the passenger experience, encouraging a consistent and reliable service offer to help encourage more sustainable travel choices;
9. More late and weekend services to reflect changing working patterns, particularly among low paid and entry level jobs; and
10.  simplified fares system across all modes to support passengers and remove barriers to travel.

'If society is to benefit fully from what the bus has to offer then the next UK Government needs to take action,' said Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK.

'We’ve seen rail services improve considerably in the UK in the 21^st Century with passenger numbers rising dramatically, The same is true of bus services in London where, with the right investment and the opportunity to flourish, passenger numbers have doubled since 2000: in every other major conurbation over the same period bus passenger numbers have halved.

'We want to see the rest of the UK enjoy the success of London with improved services and increased passenger numbers. By signing up to our Manifesto the next Government will be able to maximise the significant economic, societal and environmental benefits of bus services'.

Bus Users UK, the voice of bus passengers, is an independent not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve bus services across the UK and get more people on board.

To download a copy of the Manifesto in full visit  http://bit.ly/1FZkr7i