MORE than 70 per cent of passengers have given High Wycombe's new bus station their seal of approval in a satisfaction survey.

Developers Multiplex commissioned the investigation to see how the Bridge Street building, which opened in August, was getting on in the eyes of the public. An independent market research organisation spoke to 296 passengers over three days during September.

Alan Peach, retail development director at Multiplex, said: "As responsible developers, we commissioned this research to gauge passenger satisfaction levels and to identify concerns that we might be able to address. We are delighted with the responses that make up a net satisfaction level of 73 per cent, which is an exceptionally high score.

"The results have supported our view that the bus station has been positively received."

Lesley Clarke, leader of Wycombe District Council said.

"We believe that we have raised the bar for public transport facilities and this research proves that the huge majority of respondents are in agreement."

Out of almost 300 people 79 per cent scored the bus station as either very good or good.

Passengers particularly liked the modern design and the clean and light environment, with comfort and the absence of fumes coming a close second.

The responses constitute a dramatic shift in opinion in comparison to the former bus station, once voted as one of the UK's worst eyesores.

However, Multiplex said it is in the process of reviewing the seating plan in the station.

Bucks Free Press also reported that passengers were ditching the station in favour of bus stops closer to the town centre as people didn't want to walk round the Eden development to get to the new facility.

Lesley Clarke, leader of Wycombe District Council, said: "We are delighted that Multiplex has taken time to complete this research. The results have supported our view that the bus station has been positively received, is a welcome improvement to the town's transport facilities and a huge benefit to bus station users."

A cafe could also be provided at the bus interchange before Christmas.