MP wants national standard for bus shelters

An MP said she wanted a national standard put in place for bus stops.

Labour's Alex Mayer, who represents Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, led a Westminster debate where she called for stops to be as good as award-winning shelters in Dunstable and Norwich.

Mayer said: "I want brilliant bus stops that offer a promise of a great journey and [I] genuinely believe better bus stops will encourage more passengers, which is what we need for a thriving network."

However, roads minister Justin Madders said: "The needs of a busy urban interchange differ significantly from a lightly used rural stop, and careful consideration would need to be given before prescribing a uniform national standard."

Mayer highlighted two shelters that the Campaign for Better Transport singled out as examples of modern, accessible design.

In part of her constituency, a "super shelter" opened in 2024 by the Asda supermarket in Dunstable, which offers wireless phone charging, bike racks, wide entrances for wheelchair users, and a green roof with plants on it to improve air quality.

A timetable display also has an audio option for people with visual impairments, and there is sensor-controlled lighting which aims to save energy.

She also mentioned a shelter at the University of East Anglia in Norwich that incorporates swing seats, to add an element of play and relaxation for waiting students and staff.

Mayer said the quality of passenger experiences could vary dramatically.

"National standards would give transport authorities a common starting point and passengers a clearer idea of what they should be able to expect," she said.

"They should start with the basics - a recognisable stop and name and clear signage. My next question is, does it smell? Is it clean? Is it well-lit?

"Then at bigger stops, are there other things we can do, like charging my phone, wi-fi, maybe call for help, and CCTV to make people feel safer."

She called for streamlined responsibility for who manages bus stops, with sufficient long-term funding to maintain shelters and real-time information screens.

In the debate, Madders said: "Greater consistency can give passengers confidence about what they can expect, but at the same time we have to acknowledge there are around 330,000 bus stops in England.

"Through the Bus Services Act, sustained funding, bus service improvement plans, stronger enhanced partnerships and clearer guidance, we are giving local leaders the tools and responsibility to make bus travel a more attractive choice, and I've no doubt we will continue to discuss how we improve on that."

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