The bus has a key role to play in delivering integrated transport and persuading people out of their cars, according to one of the largest transport public opinion surveys carried out by MORI for the Commission for Integrated Transport.

And among those who are already using them - 8% more bus users are satisfied with their choice than a year ago, with 64% of passengers saying they are satisfied with their services.

For the future, 82% of the 1,725 people interviewed by MORI back park and ride schemes, which allow drivers to take the car to the outskirts of a town or city and then lets the bus take the strain. More people (40%) believe it will have more impact on improving our transport system than any other single initiative. But there are no statistics for usage of park and ride schemes, and doubts persist as to whether people will really turn to them in their droves.

57% of interviewees back more bus lanes in town centres even though they leave less space for cars - with just 20% opposed. And half of the bus lane supporters said they will make more use of any buses that benefit from these priority measures.

Encouragingly, if bus journey times are cut by half through bus priority measures, 26% of car users say they would be very likely to travel more by bus. Some 28% of those surveyed feel an increased number and frequency of bus services will have most impact on the transport network.

In one of the most sensible mechanisms for reducing rush-hour traffic, dedicated school bus services are overwhelmingly chosen as the solution that will make parents consider using their car less for taking children to school. Twice as many interviewees (32%) back this choice over the next favoured option - safer walking routes.