Survey shows importance of Dales bus services

A survey of summer visitors by bus and car to the Dales carried out on behalf of the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance (DITA) shows that:

• Buses are important both for residents and visitors. Of the bus users who responded to the survey 37% were Dales residents, 43% were day trippers and 16% visitors staying overnight. Around a third of bus users could have travelled by car, which would have caused a substantial increase in carbon emissions.
  
• Buses make a significant contribution to the local economy. More than half of bus users would not visit the Dales without the bus service, and Dales businesses would lose their spending of at least £2.8 million per year if the buses were to cease.
  
• About 1 car user in 7 said they could use buses for their journey; a greater choice of tickets available on all buses and trains in the area was the most important suggestion to encourage greater use of public transport.
  

The survey was carried out by QA Research of York on behalf of the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance (DITA) and supervised by the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company which organises Sunday and Bank Holiday bus services in the Dales.

Helen Flynn, Chair of DITA, said “The visitor survey results show that the bus network plays an important part in Dales life, indeed it is a lifeline for young people who are without independent means of transport and for people who do not own, or have had to give up ownership of a car. Our next steps are to find ways of coaxing visitors out of their cars from time to time, either once they have arrived in the Dales or when planning journeys to the Dales. This will help keep rural bus and rail networks vibrant and sustainable, and provide people with real transport choice.”

​Chris Nash, Chair of the D&BCIC, noted “This survey shows that both residents and visitors to the Dales need good bus services 7 days per week. Without these services, many people would be unable to enjoy the splendour of the Dales, and the result would be a substantial loss to local businesses”.