Guildford Bus Users Demand a Better Bus Station

Published on: 28 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 29 Jan, 2019

Guildford’s bus users want a modern replacement station, shows a survey by Guildford Labour Party.

Former Parliamentary candidate Howard Smith conducting a survey at Guildford Bus station.

Members talked to more than 100 passengers at stops around the borough during November and December. Overall, most users viewed the bus service as good, if quite expensive. The most positive passengers were using Park & Ride, seen as frequent, reliable and inexpensive.

Those who use buses at least once a week think they provide a good service but, again they are also more likely to find it expensive.

More than half the respondents were using an old person’s pass, so were not paying for their journey. Many said they would not be able to afford the bus without it.

Very few respondents wanted the bus station moved, and a smaller number felt the bus station is far from the train station. But there was an almost unanimous view that the bus station is in a poor state of repair, very dirty, cramped and uncomfortable, with poor technology and there were concerns over the number of people sleeping rough there.

Overall view of bus services in Guildford

The other main issues raised were those of frequency and reliability. Even where there is electronic signage, many respondents talked of services which “vanish” without explanation.

What would most improve the bus service in Guildford?

Howard Smith, Guildford Labour’s Parliamentary spokesperson, said: “Guildford needs to get on with building a new, state-of-the-art bus station at its present location and increase its work on prioritising bus lanes to improve reliability of the services.

Guildford Bus Station – most passengers spoken to felt it was in a poor staeof repair.

“Better digital services could also give passengers more up to date and accurate information about their services. This has been a great exercise since I believe it’s important to ask Guildford people for their views when proposing changes.”

Guildford Labour Party would like to thank all those who took part in the survey and will use their findings to finalise their policy on bus transport in Guildford.

Responses to Guildford Bus Users Demand a Better Bus Station

Dee Bruce Reply

January 28, 2019 at 4:52 pm

The electronic timetable system has never worked properly right from the outset when it was first installed. I was told by a member of staff, some years ago now, that only some of the buses are satellite linked and give a countdown to arrival at the bus stop, while the rest of the times shown are simply the standard timetable, which is why buses “disappear” from the display because they are not running. So passengers have never been able to rely on it completely and it has been a waste of time and money. If it can be updated and corrected, that would be brilliant. As for the disgusting bus station, don’t get me started!
- Shelley Grainger Reply
  
  January 29, 2019 at 11:07 am
  
  Ah, so that’s it. Having waited fruitlessly (and anxiously – trying to get to Bushy Hill school to pick up a child) on numerous occasions for a non-existent 37, I wondered what that was about.
Gordon Bridger Reply

January 29, 2019 at 11:05 am

Together with Keith Chesterton, I collected thousands of signatures a few years to retain a central bus station and it is worrying that GBC has already allocated funds a for study of a site and that Cllr Caroline Reeves stated in North Street Plans Change To ‘Primarily Residential’ Due To Retail Problems: “I doubt that keeping the bus station on its current site would be viable for the project…”. Who said so? Developers? Could she please explain?

I have in the past argued against a bus “station” as this can be implied as buses using the site as a parking facility and perhaps a better definition is a “bus exchange centre” where users have a sheltered collection site.

PLanners and councillors should be aware of the huge need and support there is for a central bus exchange centre – it’s likely to figure in the next elections.
- Jim Allen Reply
  
  January 29, 2019 at 2:14 pm
  
  But that central “collection point” has to be at the railway station. We can’t have two central points. How else will an integrated transport system even appear out of the ashes of “modal shift” if the buses fail to meet the trains?
R Rossitor Reply

January 29, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Guildford councillors will discuss, consult, meet about, re-consult, survey, discuss and re-consult about this for years before they don’t make a decision. So don’t panic everyone, you’ve got years before not being listened to.

I’m sure there are many that can outdo my experience but I’ve lived in Guildford 25+ years and the bus station has, for that entire period, been poised for redevelopment.