Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is celebrating after being ranked the highest-performing bus operator in the country for overall customer satisfaction, following the publication of the latest independent Transport Focus Your Bus Journey survey results.
The 2025 survey shows NCT achieving an overall customer satisfaction score of 94%, placing it first out of all operators surveyed across England. This represents a three percent increase on last year’s score of 91% and puts NCT nine percent above the national average of 85%.
Your Bus Journey is the independent bus passenger satisfaction survey carried out by Transport Focus, the watchdog representing the interests of bus users. Now in its third year, the survey gathered feedback from over 50,000 passenger journeys across England and Scotland, providing a comprehensive benchmark on areas including punctuality, value for money, journey times and the on-board experience.
The results are used by governments, local transport authorities and operators to monitor performance, target improvements and ensure investment is focused where it has the greatest impact for passengers.
NCT’s top ranking reflects its continued commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality bus services and builds on its strong track record as a leading UK operator.
This success is mirrored across the wider bus network in the city, with Greater Nottingham also ranked joint first in the country for overall area satisfaction at 93%, an increase of three percent on last year.
NCT Managing Director David Astill MBE, enthused:
“I am proud to lead the team at NCT who display their enthusiasm and commitment every day, to deliver reliable and punctual bus services in what has been a year of ongoing roadworks and diversions. On behalf of them all, I thank our customers for recognising and rewarding those efforts with these tremendous satisfaction scores. Over the last decade NCT has consistently achieved a place in the top five nationally, and to top the league table of bus operators this year is especially pleasing.”
Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said:
“We’re delighted that Nottingham City Transport has come out on top as the best operator in the 2026 Transport Focus survey. This is a moment of celebration for our city – through public ownership, years of passionate and dedicated effort and tireless partnership working we now have a bus operator that does Nottingham proud and that residents and visitors alike can rely on day in and day out.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:
“It’s fantastic to see Greater Nottingham leading the way, with one of the highest passenger satisfaction levels in the country. That shows what’s possible when you have a strong local focus, good services and a real commitment to putting passengers first – and it’s exactly that standard we want to see right across the East Midlands”.
The full survey results can be found here.
Posted on 26 March 2026
