SWINDON is one of the country's hotspots for growth in bus services.

According to figures released by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, Stagecoach in Swindon, which operates around 20 bus routes out of Swindon bus station using 50 buses, saw an increase in passenger numbers of nearly 10 per cent in 2003.

The high figures have allowed the firm, which has its depot on Eastcott Hill, Old Town, to claim eighth place in the table for the country's 15 fastest growing bus networks.

The confederation is the trade association for bus, coach, light rail and metro operators and gives passenger transport operators a voice though political lobbying.

Its spokesman, Simon Posner, said: "The increasing popularity of routes such as these shows that buses are making a huge resurgence across the country.

"At a local level buses can make a real difference to the quality of life enjoyed by the community."

Rupert Cox, commercial manager for Stagecoach West, said that he was pleased the company had received recognition for its hard work in improving services in the town.

He said: "We have tried to make our services more reliable. We have taken on as many new drivers as possible, to the extent that we now have a surplus of staff.

"I think people know they can rely on the service judging by the numbers of people using the number seven service to Highworth and the number eight to Freshbrook."

Coun Jemima Milton (Con Wroughton and Chiseldon), Swindon council's lead member for Transport said: "I am pleased to see bus patronage is up across the town, and that we are one of the few places where it is increasing.

"It keeps other vehicles off the road but we have to remember that as bus patronage is increasing so is the number of cars on the road."

Stagecoach in Corby had the highest increase in passenger numbers by 70 per cent followed by First in Colchester with 28 per cent and third was Arriva in Telford with 23 per cent.

The number 66 Go-Ahead bus service from Salisbury to Amesbury has seen increases of 38 per cent.

May should see the introduction of a new timetable service via text message.

The scheme, run by bus information service Traveline, is being tested in Swindon and Devon and will have the details of bus departures from every bus stop in the town.

Anthony Osborne