Understanding Why Some People Do Not Use Buses
This research explores perceptions of bus services and barriers to use amongst people who do not use buses often, and looks at what might encourage them to use buses more in future.
ANNEX A - SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE, ADVANCED LETTERS AND LEAFLET
Focus group screening questionnaire
Leaflet for focus group participants
Bus Perceptions
The Scottish Government recognises that buses have an important role to play in:
- Improving journey times and connections
- Reducing emissions, and
- Improving quality, accessibility and affordability of public transport
However many people do not use buses. In order to inform future policy the Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) to conduct a study to find out the views of people who rarely use buses.
What's the study about?
We are interested in:
- Your experiences of and attitudes towards travelling on buses
- Your views on the quality of bus transport and on different aspects of your local bus services.
- Your views about why bus travel might be seen as 'inconvenient'.
- Exploring what has influenced your opinions about buses.
What is involved?
We are conducting 12 focus groups with members of the public and would like to invite you, as someone who doesn't use bus services very often, to take part in one of the focus groups.
We are looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds that are willing to share their views on bus services in a 'safe' group setting. No expert knowledge is needed to take part - we're just interested in your views and experiences. Each focus group will last between 60 and 90 minutes.
And as a thank you for taking part in the focus group discussion we will give you £30 and refreshments will be available.
The study is taking place throughout Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, The Borders and West Lothian and will be completed by the end of October 2009.
Do I have to take part?
No. In all our research we rely on voluntary co-operation. The success of the research relies on the goodwill and co-operation of those asked to take part. Obviously we hope you will decide to take part and that you will enjoy sharing your views with others. However you do not have to answer any questions you do not wish to and are free to withdraw from the research at any time, without having to give a reason.
Confidentiality
With your permission, the group discussion will be recorded and transcribed and stored securely with limited access by ScotCen staff. Any information given by respondents will be kept strictly confidential. Reports will not include names or other information which could identify you. Any quotations used in the report will be thoroughly anonymised.
Who is carrying out the study?
The research is being conducted by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen). We are a not-for-profit organisation, and are independent of the government. You can find out more at our website: www.scotcen.org.uk.
The ScotCen team for the study includes Fiona Dobbie (Senior Researcher), Susan McConville (Researcher), Irene Miller (Specialist Interviewer) and Rachel Ormston (Research Director).
In addition, a team of experienced researchers from ScotCen will help conduct the focus group discussions.
What will happen to the results of the study?
We will write up the results of the study in a report to the Scottish Government based on the views of all the people that have taken part in the study. The report will provide information to help policy makers try and improve bus services in the future. If you would like a copy of the report after it is published we can send you one (or email you with a link to it).
Further questions?
If you would like further information about the study or to make or change arrangements for a focus group please contact:
Lesley Birse (Research Support Manager) or Fiona Dobbie (Senior Researcher)
Scottish Centre for Social Research73 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AW
Tel. 0131 228 2167
Useful numbers
For journey advice:
Traveline Scotland
Tel: 0871 200 22 33
Website: http://www.travelinescotland.com
For general information about transport in Scotland:
Transport Scotland
Tel: 0141 272 7100
Website: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk
Email: info@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish Government - Transport Directorate
Tel: 0131 556 8400
Website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport
Leaflet for participants with mobility problems
Bus Perceptions
The Scottish Government recognises that buses have an important role to play in:
- Improving journey times and connections
- Reducing emissions, and
- Improving quality, accessibility and affordability of public transport
However many people do not use buses. In particular, people with a disability or long-standing illness may face certain issues which discourage them from using buses. In order to inform future policy the Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) to conduct a study to find out the views of people who rarely use buses.
What's the study about?
We are interested in:
- Your experiences of and attitudes towards travelling on buses
- Your views on the quality of bus transport and on different aspects of your local bus services.
- Your views about why bus travel might be seen as 'inconvenient'.
What is involved?
We are conducting 12 interviews with members of the public who do not use bus services very often. No expert knowledge is needed to take part - we're just interested in your views and experiences of bus services in your local area. Each interview will last around 60 minutes and, as a thank you for taking part, we will give you £30.
Why was I chosen?
You may remember being interviewed for the Scottish Household Survey within the last 12 months. At the end of your interview you agreed that you were happy to be re-contacted about further research in the future.
We have chosen to contact you because you mentioned in your interview that you had a long-standing illness or disability and that you did not use buses often at the time. We are particularly interested in talking to people with a disability or long-standing illness that may affect how easy it is for them to use different kinds of transport.
Do I have to take part?
No. In all our research we rely on voluntary co-operation. The success of the research relies on the goodwill and co-operation of those asked to take part. Obviously we hope you will decide to take part and that you will enjoy sharing your views with us. However, you do not have to answer any questions you do not wish to and are free to withdraw from the research at any time, without having to give a reason.
Confidentiality
With your permission, the interview will be recorded and transcribed and stored securely with limited access by ScotCen staff. Anything you say will be treated in confidence unless you tell me something that makes me worry about the safety of you or someone else. Reports will not include names or other information which could identify you. Any quotations used in the report will be thoroughly anonymised.
Who is carrying out the study?
The research is being conducted by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen). We are a not-for-profit organisation, and are independent of the government. You can find out more at our website: www.scotcen.org.uk.
The ScotCen team for the study includes Fiona Dobbie (Senior Researcher), Susan McConville (Researcher), Irene Miller (Specialist Interviewer) and Rachel Ormston (Research Director).
What will happen to the results of the study?
We will write up the results of the study in a report to the Scottish Government based on the views of all the people that have taken part in the study. The report will provide information to help policy makers try and improve bus services in the future. If you would like a copy of the report after it is published we can send you one (or email you with a link to it).
Further questions?
If you would like further information about the study or to make or change arrangements for an interview please contact:
Lesley Birse (Research Support Manager) or Fiona Dobbie (Senior Researcher)
Scottish Centre for Social Research73 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AW
Tel. 0131 228 2167
Useful numbers
For journey advice:
Traveline Scotland
Tel: 0871 200 22 33
Website: http://www.travelinescotland.com
For general information about transport in Scotland:
Transport Scotland
Tel: 0141 272 7100
Website: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk
Email: info@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish Government - Transport Directorate
Tel: 0131 556 8400
Website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport
Leaflet for participants with learning disabilities
Our Project Information Leaflet About Bus Research
Who is doing the project?
The project is being done by the Scottish Centre for Social Research. We do research. This means we ask people what they think about different things.
You can find out more about us at our website: www.scotcen.org.uk
Our names are:
Fiona Dobbie
Susan McConville
Irene Miller
Rachel Ormston
What is our research about?
The Scottish Government has found out that lots of people do not use buses. They have asked us to find out what people think about travelling by bus.
We want to speak to people who do NOT use local buses very often.
We want to find out:
- What you think about travelling by bus
- What is good about buses where you live
- What is bad about buses where you live
We started our project in June 2009. We are travelling around Scotland to meet people. We are asking them what they think about travelling by bus.
What will happen if you take part?
You do not need to be an expert to take part. We want to know what you think. The interview will last around 45 minutes. We will do the interview in a place that suits you. And as a thank you for taking part in the interview we will give you £30.
What happens next?
After we finish talking to people we will write a report about what people have said. In November 2009 we will write our report for the Scottish Government.
We can give you a summary of the report.
What about my privacy?
There are some things about privacy that we want to tell you:
Confidentiality and Anonymity. This means that we will be careful about the information we collect. We will not share your private details. People who read the report will not know that you have taken part.
We will not use your name in our reports. We will keep our notes very safe. We will not show them to anyone outside our xproject.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide if you want to take part. It is okay if you do not want to take part. If you do take part but you do not want to answer a question, that is okay too. Just tell us. We want to record the interview and we will ask your permission to do this before we start. We will explain why we want to do this and answer any questions you have.
If you want to ask questions, please do!
If you want to contact us, please call:
Fiona Dobbie or Susan McConville on 0131 338 2167
Our contact address is:
Scottish Centre for Social Research73 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AW
THANK YOU!
Words List
These are some of the words we use in this information leaflet.
Confidentiality This means being careful about using information, and not sharing people's private information
Research The collecting of information about a subject
Useful numbers
Enable Scotland:
Telephone: 0141 226 4541
Fax: 0141 204 4398
Email: enable@enable.org.uk
Capability Scotland:
Telephone: 0131 337 9876
Textphone: 0131 346 2529
Fax: 0131 346 7864
For journey advice:
Traveline Scotland
Tel: 0871 200 22 33
Website: http://www.travelinescotland.com
For general information about transport in Scotland:
Transport Scotland
Tel: 0141 272 7100
Website: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk
Email: info@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
For complaints about transport in Scotland:
Transport Scotland
Telephone number: 0141 272 7114
Email: chiefexecutive@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk
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