LGA: Bus passenger journeys fall again, reaching lowest level in a decade

The amount of people using buses in England each year has fallen to its lowest level in a decade – down to 4.38 billion passenger journeys across the country in 2016/17 – new figures reveal today.

The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils across England and Wales, is concerned that latest government figures published today show that:

• Overall there were more than 80 million fewer journeys across the country for the year ending December 2017 in comparison to the previous year - a decrease of 1.8 per cent. 

• Journeys in London fell by 0.6 per cent, whilst outside London saw a fall of 3 per cent.

• The local bus fares index increased by 3 per cent in England between December 2016 and December 2017. Fares increased by 1 per cent in London, 3.9 per cent in metropolitan areas and 4.5 per cent in non-metropolitan areas.

The LGA is warning that this continued decline in bus passenger journeys could have an impact on increased congestion and poorer air quality in local communities as well as leaving those who rely on the bus network unsupported.

Council leaders are warning cherished bus services and routes will remain under threat unless councils are given the funding to protect them.

Core central government funding to councils will be further cut in half over the next two years and almost phased out completely by the end of the decade. The LGA is calling on the Government to urgently address this cliff-edge and the growing funding gaps facing local services.

It said the Government also needs to fully fund the concessionary fares scheme. The LGA said councils are spending at least £200 million a year to subsidise the scheme - which provides free, off-peak, travel for elderly and disabled residents. This comes at the cost of other discretionary subsidised bus services - such as free peak travel, community transport services and post 16 school transport – and other local services like collecting bins and filling potholes.

Giving councils control over the Bus Service Operators’ Grant, a fuel duty rebate currently paid directly to bus operators, would also enable councils to protect vital bus routes, and give them the funding they need to provide an effective and efficient bus service. 

Cllr Martin Tett, the LGA’s Transport spokesman, said: 

“It is hugely concerning to see such a steady decrease in bus journeys.

“Buses provide a vital service for our communities and a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends. Councils know how important buses are for their residents and local economies and are desperate to protect them.

“It’s nearly impossible for councils to keep subsidising free travel while having to find billions of pounds worth of savings and protect other vital services like caring for the elderly, filling potholes and collecting bins. Faced with significant funding pressures, many across the country are being forced into taking difficult decisions to scale back services and review subsidised routes.

“The way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall has not kept up with growing demand and cost. By giving councils control over the Bus Service Operators’ Grant, and properly funding the free bus pass schemes the Government could help us support and maintain our essential bus services, reduce congestion and protect vital routes.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Figures on bus passenger journeys are sourced from the DfT Quarterly Bus Statistics, which show 4.38 billion bus passenger journeys in the last year.