Bus operators in the district should be rightly proud that a poll of passengers has rated them the second-highest in the country for user satisfaction.

Although the survey of less than 2,000 people is just a fraction of the numbers who use public transport on a daily basis, it is a signal that the bus operators are moving in the right direction.

We as a nation are constantly told that we must be less reliant on our cars and use public transport more as a way of halting the damage to the environment and easing traffic congestion around our major centres.

That’s all very well, but the infrastructure must be there to support those who want to do their bit and leave the car at home.

That means buses must be clean and efficient, services must be regular and on time, and routes must be widespread and inclusive to ensure everyone can easily catch a bus.

With 91 per cent of passengers polled recording satisfaction with their bus journeys, it seems the right things are being done.

The bus companies must now build upon this good news and – hard financial times notwithstanding – ensure that their services continue to improve and that as many people as possible have access to public transport.