A bus passenger survey has shown an increase in satisfaction across Cheshire West and Chester.

The borough's final results were revealed as consistently above the national average.

In 2024, overall bus journey satisfaction across Cheshire West and Chester has risen to 87%, an increase from 81% in 2023.

This figure is 3% away from the Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan target of 90% by 2026/27.

The target of 90% would capitalise on the borough's higher than average performance, taking it amongst the highest recorded levels of performance in the country.

Councillor Louise Gittins said: "This is excellent news as we continue to implement our Bus Service Improvement Plan.

"These results show that positive changes have been made.

"Increasing further towards a 92% target in 2029/30 would recapture some of the higher levels of performance recorded prior to the pandemic and represent a return to previous high levels of quality and service."

On Monday 24 March, a meeting took place which invited local bus operators, the Department for Transport and stakeholders to discuss issues and opportunities relevant to the bus network.

An interim update on bus journey satisfaction was shared, highlighting that passengers in Cheshire West and Chester have said they are more satisfied with their journeys since last year.

Overall value for money for bus journeys across the borough in 2024 was 77%, compared to 73% in 2023.

Commissioned in January 2023, the satisfaction survey from Transport Focus is one of the largest undertaken, including 39 local transport authority areas in England (outside of London), speaking to 41,000 passengers about their overall satisfaction with their journey.

The final results have now been released by Transport Focus and confirm improvements have been made.

Matt Davies, managing director at Stagecoach, said: "These improvements demonstrate a real commitment from all involved to make bus travel a more enjoyable experience for the people of the area."

A spokesperson for Arriva announced it was "delighted" with the results of the survey.

They said: "We are particularly pleased to see improvements in punctuality—an area we have been committed to enhancing.

"With further service improvements set to roll out later this year, we remain dedicated to delivering a reliable, efficient and customer-focused bus network for our passengers."

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