More and more of us are getting on the buses (From Warrington Guardian)

More and more of us are getting on the buses

BUS use in Warrington is growing - defying the national trend - according to figures in a new report.

And the news follows work to revamp bus stops and improve facilities for people with disabilities, measures that have all helped to boost the town's public transport.

Nigel Featham, managing director of Warrington Borough Transport, said: "The national picture outside London is one of decline in bus use, but in Warrington we have experienced steady growth for a number of years now, which is a tremendous achievement.

"Motorists are now being given a real alternative to the private car."

More than 150 bus stops across town have now been fitted with new digital displays giving up-to-the-minute travel information, and this should be in place at 225 stops by the end of the year.

Modern shelters with better facilities for people with disabilities, as well as lighting to enhance safety at night, have been installed at 260 locations, with another 90 approved for this financial year and the next.

And Warrington's new bus station is due to be completed by 2006.

Mr Featham said: "It is exciting to see Warrington on the threshold of seeing plans for major transport schemes come to fruition.

"As a company, we are working hard to ensure these new facilities are complemented by a high quality bus service.

"We are putting far greater emphasis on staff training, investing heavily in the bus fleet, improving reliability and promoting services using better quality marketing."

The Audit Commission praised Warrington's bus use as part of its best value inspection report, which also indicated a rise in the numbers of people using public transport.

Barry Eaton, Warrington Borough Council's passenger transport co-ordinator, said: "Any increase in the use of buses is very encouraging and the work undertaken by the council to help make bus travel more accessible and useable all plays its part in attracting more passengers.

"The use of real time information, or itravel, and its future link to mobile phone technology will be a watershed in people being able to determine their own travel arrangements with up-to-date information in their hand."