Buses in Brighton and Hove have the highest satisfaction rating in the country.

In-house research by the city council found 80 per cent of passengers were pleased with the service, with one of the most popular features being the service's real-time information boards.

More than 74 per cent of passengers said they were satisfied with the provision of public transport information in the council's survey.

Passengers in the city have increased every year for the past ten years, an upward trend unique outside London.

Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove's environment committee, said: "Brighton and Hove has a quality bus partnership with Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company. This has helped us deliver high quality, frequent and accessible services.

"Together we have achieved pioneering work, such as satellite bus tracking system that provides instant information to the public at bus stops, on our travel web site and, in the near future, mobile phones."

Roger French, managing director of the company, said: "Our investment in higher frequencies on the most popular routes, together with more new buses, has provided greatly improved levels of service for thousands of people."

Friday February 11, 2005