Late buses upset passengers
Improving the punctuality of Perth's buses will be a key focus for public transport authorities over the next year.
The Public Transport Authority's annual survey showed passengers were generally happy with bus, train and ferry services in Perth.
But it also identified that passenger satisfaction with the punctuality of buses was at an all-time low - down from 82 per cent to 76 per cent. There was concern - particularly in Midland, Canning and Fremantle-Cockburn - that too many buses were running late or not running to their timed schedules.
PTA spokesman David Hynes said buses, like all road vehicles, could be delayed by congestion.
He said the survey would prompt a new focus to improve bus punctuality.
"These could include a review of timetables where on-time running issues are a persistent problem," Mr Hynes said. "We could also look at road infrastructure, including bus priority lanes and bus-only turning signals."
While commuters were generally happy with bus drivers, there was a fall in the satisfaction rate for their handling of the bus (from 93 to 88 per cent) and their manner towards passengers (from 93 to 90 per cent).
"While we will continue to aim for 100 per cent satisfaction, 88 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with how our drivers travel about the network - that figure is still very good," Mr Hynes said.
"We expect the highest standards of driving as well as customer service from our bus drivers and will continue to reinforce this with our contractors.
"We will also continue to carry out spot-checks on drivers via mystery shoppers throughout the year."
The annual passenger survey, now in its 24th year, is considered to be the longest running and most comprehensive of its kind in Australia.
"The survey allows us to take a holistic look at how our passengers feel about our services so that we can continue what we are doing right and work on improving the areas passengers aren't satisfied with," Mr Hynes said.
Overall, train passenger satisfaction increased from 84 to 89 per cent, bus satisfaction went from 81 to 83 per cent and ferry satisfaction from 96 to 97 per cent.
