A new independent focus survey from Transport Focus has confirmed what residents and visitors to Nottingham know – that we have some of the best buses around.

Transport Focus are an independent organisation representing the interests of bus passengers. Bus passengers were surveyed throughout 2024 in almost 40 different regions on all aspects of their journey, including punctuality, value for money and the experience of disabled customers.

The 2024 results, published on Tuesday 25 March, revealed that Nottingham buses received a very high satisfaction rating – 90% versus an average of 83% nationally.

Nottingham people who took part in the research also said their buses arrived on time, and they rated the frequency of services and the ease of use for disabled customers. Nottingham’s buses were also highly rated compared to the rest of England for cleanliness, comfort, safety and the updates and information given.

The success following stats released by the Department for Transport in December showing that Nottingham had seen a 10% rise in passenger figures versus 2023 – an incredible feat for a city which has had a strong and popular bus network for decades.

Nottingham City Council look after the infrastructure of bus stops and real time information displays, which was highly rated by passengers in the survey, as well as being a pioneer of dedicated bus lanes as well as priority at junctions and lights, contributing to bus punctuality.

One award-winning Transforming Cities funded scheme, completed by Nottingham City Council in 2024 added a new bus lane to the A610, to cut bus journey times and relieve pressure at a pinch point.

Regional Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP), where the City Council and partners work continually to improve our bus network also play a big part in the continued success of our bus network, as well as the fact that Nottingham City Transport has been publicly owned since 1898.

Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications said: “I’m delighted that Nottingham’s brilliant buses are getting the recognition and praise they deserve.

Buses are key to so many aspects of life in our communities and I’m proud to say that Nottingham City Council transport officers as well as our close working relationships with our fantastic local operators and neighbouring councils play a huge role in this success.”

Jon Parker, the Independent Chair of the Nottingham Bus Partnership said: “It’s great to see that the findings of this independent research show continued improvement in Nottingham’s bus services.  The fact that satisfaction levels on all aspects of the journey (stops, drivers, journey times and punctuality), are showing year on year improvement, and exceed other urban areas, is testament to the tremendous work put in by all those involved in the Enhanced Bus Partnership.”

Derek Higton, Corporate Director for Place at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This is great news for Greater Nottingham and we are proud of all of the work that we have done together through our Greater Nottingham Enhanced Partnership to improve bus travel for passengers.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely together and build on the 90% bus passenger satisfaction rating.”