Millions would find it difficult getting to hospital, school, work or shops without bus services, research shows.
As cuts continue to result in routes being axed across the country, 83% of people think it would be hard to get to shops and town centres if bus services were not available.
Around 75% said the same about work, and hospitals or GP surgeries.
David Brown, chief executive of bus operator Go-Ahead which was behind the survey, said: “Without buses, it would be a tiresome daily struggle for many people simply to get to work or school.
“It’s essential the nation puts in place a meaningful strategy to ensure services can prosper.
“A single bus can take as many as 75 cars off the road, with obvious benefits in terms of relieving congestion and pollution. It’s time for politicians to sit up and take notice.
“Buses need to be given greater priority in road design if we want to achieve the Government’s broader policy goals in improving air quality, combating loneliness and regenerating local communities.”
The poll of 2,000 people revealed 63% think schools would be hard to get to without a bus.
The research also showed the role of buses is underestimated.
Over half of those quizzed believe less than 40% of public transport journeys are by bus – in fact it is about 67%.
A cross-party group of 23 MPs last week backed calls for a National Bus Strategy, a key demand of the Campaign for Better Transport.
The move would bring the bus sector into line with rail, aviation, roads, cycling and walking.
The Mirror’s Save Our Buses campaign stands up for local routes.
We revealed in February that council bosses fear nearly half of bus routes in England are at risk of being scrapped because of lack of funding.
Labour has vowed to reverse Tory cuts with £1.3billion a year to reinstate bus services and create new ones.
