South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) has welcomed the new figures from independent watchdog Passenger Focus, which disappointingly found that, overall, only 86 per cent of South Yorkshire’s bus passengers were satisfied with each bus journey they make.

In SYPTE's own surveys, when asking passengers about satisfaction over a number of journeys, less than four out of ten passengers regularly receive an overall satisfactory experience.

SYPTE Director of Customer Experience, David Young, said: "We are disappointed that over one out of every ten bus passengers in South Yorkshire are not satisfied on each bus journey. We challenge bus operators to come forward with concrete plans to raise their standards and provide customers with the journey experience they deserve.

"Congratulations, however, to Sheffield Community Transport who achieved 98 per cent customer satisfaction - if they can please almost all of their customers, then why can't other operators? We urge them to focus on the areas where customers are particularly dissatisfied - namely, the frequency of buses, value for money, punctuality and the smoothness of the ride."

This research reinforces the reason why SYPTE is holding a series of consultation events throughout July on its 'Vision for buses in South Rotherham and Sheffield', building on a similar exercise undertaken earlier in the year setting out plans to improve the local bus network in Doncaster.

Members of the public can look at SYPTE’s proposals in more detail by visiting www.busvision.co.uk and are invited to attend any of the remaining consultation events, email yoursay@busvision.co.uk or call 0800 028 8141 with their views on the proposals.

Alternatively, you can write to SYPTE at FREEPOST BUS VISION. No stamp is required.

All responses must be received by 3 September 2010.