SCOTLAND’S bus network is failing communities on cost, frequency and punctuality, it is claimed.
In a survey by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), two thirds of respondents said the frequency of local services was not good enough.
More than half said those that do run are often late and almost one in six said tickets are poor value for money.
Almost one third slammed the cleanliness or condition of vehicles and others said there was no service to their local hospital or GP.
Publishing the research today, Derek Mitchell, chief executive of CAS, said: “Public transport is a social justice issue.
“People deserve a bus service that is reliable, affordable and pleasant to use, yet it is clear from this research that Scotland’s buses often fail to meet these standards.”
Bus travel accounts for more than three quarters of all public transport journeys, including those for education, work and leisure. CAS says fares have rise by 18 per cent over the last five years but services are failing to deliver for customers.
More than 4600 people across the country responded to the survey.
Mitchell said: “The responses came from all parts of Scotland but there was a notably high rate from people in rural areas, where problems like bus infrequency are often more acute.
“Having gathered this data, Citizens Advice Scotland will now be meeting with bus companies, local authorities and the Scottish Government to find ways of addressing these issues. Our objective here is to create better journeys for the people who rely on bus services.”
Transport Scotland called the report publication “timely”, with the Transport Bill set to come to parliament.
Defending provision, a spokesperson said: “This government is continuing to spend over £250 million a year to support our vital bus industry, allowing operators to keep fares at affordable levels, and provide free bus travel to older and disabled passengers.
“We also provide support to local authorities via the block grant so that they can support necessary bus services. They spent over £50m on bus services in 2016-17.
“The forthcoming Transport Bill will empower local authorities by providing options to improve bus services in their areas – giving them a greater choice in how to deliver a sustainable bus network for customers, be that via partnership, local franchising or even directly running their buses.
“The Transport Bill will also bring forward measures on open data to ensure that bus operators provide the information that passengers need on routes, timetables, punctuality and fares.”
However, Lib Dem transport spokesperson Mike Rumbles MSP said: “The Scottish Government has seen bus travel fall below 400 million journeys for the first time. They’ve completely failed to get people out of cars which is bad for both the environment and the health of our nation.
“Passengers have expressed frustrations with the frequency and reliability of services and the government must direct resources to resolve these issues if they want to make bus journeys more appealing.
On rural services, he commented: “The government must recognise that in these areas sporadic services have an even more acute effect.”
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