A new app allowing bus passengers in County Durham to access journey information is set to be launched.
It is hoped the app will bring together timetables and information about all bus services in the county in one place.
Plans for the new program were revealed as transport officials bid to restore the public’s faith in the region’s bus services after councillors questioned how the council could support residents and press operators for improvements.
Cathy Knight, Durham County Council’s integrated passenger transport manager, said: “We recognise the problems you raise. We are going to establish our own app that will have all bus services.
“One thing I find frustrating is I often use connecting buses and they are different operators, so I’m opening different apps, and it is really annoying. The plan is to have one app that has all services on there. Unfortunately, these things take time and we have to go through a full procurement process and then the preparation – but work is underway.”
Passenger satisfaction in County Durham increased to 82 per cent in 2024, up from 76 per cent the previous year. The total number of bus users also increased over the year after driver strikes sidelined services in late 2023.
Comment by councillor’s
David Sutton-Lloyd, county councillor for Aycliffe North and Middridge, warned the reliability of buses has decreased.
“Some of the bus companies had apps at one stage, which seemed to be pretty reliable, but have now disintegrated,” he told a council meeting. “What work are we putting in to improve that? Some of our bus stops have electronic signs, which in the rural areas would be a great boon.
“I’ve had residents say: ‘I stood at the bus stop and three buses didn’t come. I had no information as to what the state was, do I hang on for another half hour or go home and forget it?’”
Meanwhile, residents continue to report issues with local buses to councillor Bev Coult. “From a satisfaction perspective, there’s big issues across the county from one provider,” she said. “Is there anything else, as members, we can do or advise residents to do? The impact is huge; they miss appointments and are late for school and work.”
But the council admitted it is unable to influence major changes. “I’m afraid to say the short answer is no,” said Cathy Knight.
She added: “We are meeting with them regularly to ensure they are doing something about it and what their plan is and whether it’s on track. They are going as fast as they can but there are still these reliability problems. I have first-hand experience of the impact on passengers, so I’m fully aware, but the short answer is no.”
Strategic traffic manager comment
Dave Lewin, strategic traffic manager, said passengers are more likely to report issues with services compared to positive experiences.
You don’t often hear people say: ‘I got the bus today, it arrived on time and it was a pleasant journey’. It’s always ‘the bus didn’t turn up.’
“The more people that use buses, the better because that improves the service.”
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