When a Travel Plan is developed, it usually includes a 'site audit' or 'site assessment'. This is basically a review of access from the workplace to public transport both in the physical sense and in terms of employee and visitor access to public transport information such as routes, timetables and fares. 

An employee travel survey may have been conducted which could help the Travel Plan Coordinator to identify the changes that are most likely to encourage people to increase their use of public transport.

Bus Services and Waiting Facilities

Where are nearby bus stops located? 

• It might be useful to include these in visitor information and new employee induction packs . 
• Bus stops can also be shown on site travel maps if they are produced  

How well maintained and how secure are local bus stop waiting facilities? These are usually the reponsibility of the local authority. For example:

• Is a covered, weatherproof shelter provided?
• Are seats provided?
• Are bus stops and shelters well lit?
• Are they free of vandalism/graffiti?
• Are up to date bus times displayed at the stop?   

 What bus routes come close to the site? Consider carefully: 

• The services that are available and where they run. Do they go to areas that people at the site want to get to and from? For many non-central sites it would be impossible to serve every need by a direct bus, however, are there clusters of trips which, if drawn to the attention of the bus operator, might be servicable by diverting an existing bus route or even by providing a new route? An initial travel plan travel survey should have included questions on where people want to travel to and from the site.     
• The times that buses run and how often they run. For example, are there suitable morning and evening services to fit with shift patterns? 
• Are services suitable for lunchtime trips to the nearest shopping area?

These are bus operator issues, however it would be worth raising them with the local authority contact first as they may already have had general discussions with the bus operators around your more specific issues.

Getting to and from Bus Stops and the Workplace

• Pedestrian routes need to be as short as possible to be attractive and to encourage bus use. In what ways can alternative, safe routes be provided if they are not provided at the moment?
• Are the routes that do exist pleasant and 'comfortable' to use? For example, are they well surfaced, do they have foliage impeding the route and are they separated from traffic?
• Are there any potential conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians outside the site en route to bus stops? Are crossing points provided? Has the travel survey identified lack of/ potential crossing points?
• Are pedestrian routes well signed and is it obvious which way to go to and from bus stops?
• Are pedestrain routes to and within the site well lit?

Providing Information

Can staff and visitors easily access, and do they know where to easily access bus route and timetable information? The Travel Plan Coordinator could look to organise:  

• Timetable leaflets and possibly site travel maps.
• Providing information about public transport services on noticeboards.
• Setting up appropriate links on an intranet site.
• Provide real time travel information via site such as Traveline Scotland

Are visitors provided with public transport information? 

Other Considerations

Are there any Park and Ride facilities which could be used by employees /visitors?

Are there any local organisations that run private buses/minibuses who may be willing to share services with your organisation?