(25 Jan 2020, 5:10 pm)RobinHood wrote It's not new though. You ask anyone and you will always get the same answers. High frequency, low fares etc.

What they don't tell you though, the people who answer the surveys probably use the bus very infrequently and still expect a 10 minute service just incase they need it a week on Tuesday.

Unfortunately a business model like that wouldn't exist very long. Large parts of Teesside have very frequent services.

The TVCA need to focus on reducing congestion, making towns less car friendly and only then will the bus actually be a reasonable option for those who can afford to run a car.

Material increases in passengers will be default create higher frequency as bus operators take advantage of the demand. It's not rocket science, just basic business.

Imagine if the TVCA actually pump primed bus improvement, using some of Ben Houchens war chest? That would break the 'chicken and egg' cycle.

Labour are unrealistic as well. Moving buses back to local authority ownership won't improve things. The same number of cars will still be on the road - the same congestion will still be there.

Buses have to be attractive, affordable, frequent and reliable. 
Making a town centre 'less car friendly' doesn't determine whether or not people will use the bus. Particularly when it's a lot easier to do shopping online.
There's no natural order which determines a modal shift, based on a town centre being 'less car friendly'. 

Town centres across the UK are slowly dying. Alienating car owners isn't going to save them.