A recent public consultation found that 69% of participants thought that Wiltshire Council should spend more money on buses in the county. 

48% of these participants reported feeling satisfied with the current bus services in Wiltshire; 33% gave a neutral response and the remaining 19% gave a negative response. 

These statistics were presented to councillors in the Environment Select Committee meeting on Thursday, January 11. 

The survey ran for 6 weeks from September until the end of October 2023 and 1565 responses were received. 

Wiltshire Times: How often respondents use the bus service for different journey types.How often respondents use the bus service for different journey types. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

The consultation was designed to assess residents' opinions of the revised public transport policy, with a focus on Wiltshire’s bus policy and the supported bus network.

According to the committee, these policies need to be updated to reflect the decarbonisation agenda, new transport technologies and the travel patterns of passengers following the Covid-19 pandemic.

They will ultimately form part of the Local Transport Plan which is currently in development. 

Wiltshire Times: The proposed policies and responses, where PT refers to public transport.The proposed policies and responses, where PT refers to public transport. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Councillors agreed that the consultation responses showed broad support for the proposed policies.

Work will therefore begin to develop implementation plans for the bus network.

The committee also discussed its aim to improve the quality and convenience of public transport across the county, which it hopes will decrease unsustainable private vehicle use.