13 Jul 2026
A new interactive Bus Mapping Tool from the Campaign for Better Transport is providing a detailed picture of where bus services are falling short across England and Wales, helping identify communities most in need of improved public transport.
Using a simple traffic light system, the tool assesses every ward against minimum and ambition-level bus service benchmarks. It considers factors including bus frequency, access to nearby bus stops, levels of car ownership and local deprivation to show where additional bus stops, enhanced services or wider investment may be needed.
The Campaign for Better Transport says the analysis shows that around one in seven people in England do not have access to a decent bus service, and estimates that an additional £300 million per year would be needed to ensure every community has access to a minimum acceptable level of bus provision.
For rural communities, where limited public transport can affect access to employment, education, healthcare and essential services, the tool offers a valuable evidence base to help local authorities and transport planners identify gaps in provision and support the case for future investment.
