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Plymouth Bus User Panel Volunteers

We are working with local bus operators, through the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership, to deliver great bus services in Plymouth and we need your help.

Update

Thank you for your interest in the Bus User Panel.

All the volunteering roles on the panel are currently full and we are not recruiting to this opportunity at the moment.  However, if you would like to be contacted once spaces on the panel become available email [email protected] or, for other volunteering opportunities with the Council visit our Volunteering page.

What is the Plymouth Bus User Panel?

The panel is being set up so that we and local bus operators can:

  • work with bus passengers on improving Plymouth’s bus services and
  • stay in touch with what passengers want to see from Plymouth’s bus network.

We’re looking for 21 enthusiastic people from all backgrounds who are happy to provide feedback on their experience of local bus services and constructive input into new products and ideas.

Whether you are a regular bus traveller, have previously travelled by bus but stopped or want to give bus travel a go, your views are important.

The Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership will go to the panel to get up-to-date, informed views on the priorities of Plymouth’s bus passengers.

What might the role involve?

As a member of the Bus User Panel you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • shape the Bus Passenger Charter
  • contribute ideas towards public transport information, such as the information displayed at bus stops and the network map
  • feed back on your experience of Plymouth’s buses; what’s working well and what we can do better
  • test new initiatives, such as real time passenger information QR codes
  • make sure the passenger priorities set out within our Bus Service Improvement Plan remain correct.
WarningThe panel is not a complaints panel.

Would this role suit you?

No formal qualifications are needed but you’ll need to:

  • be at least aged 18 years old
  • be a regular bus traveller, have recently stopped travelling by bus or be keen to give bus travel a go
  • be using (or wanting to use) buses that serve Plymouth
  • be an enthusiastic person who is happy to contribute to group discussions
  • be available to meet with the Council and bus operators up to six times a year.
    • Meetings will take place, where possible, on a Thursday from 4pm to 5pm in the city centre, every other month.
    • Ideally, you’ll be able to attend the meeting in person but participating via Microsoft Teams will also be possible.

Why become a member of the Bus User Panel?

As a panel member you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with the Council, including Plymouth’s Bus Champion, Councillor Kevin Sproston, and bus operators.

Your work will help buses meet the needs of the community and you’ll see projects you are involved in delivered across the city.

Training and support

Before joining the panel, you will receive an induction session so that you know exactly what you’ll be doing and can meet the team who you’ll be working with.

Expenses

Free bus travel to and from Bus User Panel meetings will be provided.

DBS checks

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is not required for members of the Bus User Panel.

Other information

You will be given a clear point of contact for all aspects of your volunteering, including for any feedback, suggestions or concerns. You will also be given a volunteers’ handbook.

As a volunteer you are of course free to stop volunteering at any time. However, recruitment to the panel will typically be for a period of 12 months to allow a rotation of ideas and experiences amongst panel members.

Interested? Please call Rosie Starr, Sustainable Transport Manager, for an informal chat on 01752 305514.