Passenger journey figures are based on data collected from a panel survey of the largest bus operators and are seasonally adjusted. The bus fares index is compiled from data provided by a representative sample of operators.
The table showing annual data on price increases and competition for tenders for local bus contracts has been updated alongside this release and is available
here
Key points:
Passenger journeys
Comparing 2012/13 with 2011/12 year:
- Total bus usage in England fell by around 1.3% in 2012/13 due to a levelling of usage in London and continuation of the long-term downward trend in usage outside London
- An estimated 4.62 billion bus passenger journeys were made in the year to March 2013, around 60 million fewer than during the previous year.
Comparing Q1 2013 with Q1 2012:
- There was a 3.2% decrease in bus passenger journeys in England with a 3.8% decrease in non-metropolitan areas, a 2.4% decrease in London and a 4.3% decrease in metropolitan areas.
- Bus passenger journeys in Scotland decreased by 2.8% and decreased by 6.9% in Wales over the same period.
Comparing Q1 (January to March) 2013 with the previous quarter, there was a 1.3% decrease in seasonally adjusted bus passenger journeys in England. Quarter on quarter changes should be interpreted with caution, however.
View this data in an interactive chart
Bus Fares Index
Comparing March 2013 with March 2012:
- There was an increase in bus fares of 4.7% in England (4.6% in London, 3.3% in metropolitan areas and 5.7% in non-metropolitan areas). The all items retail prices index increased by 3.3% over this period.
- Over the same period there was an increase of 4.3% in fares in Scotland, and an increase of 6.9% in Wales.
Information on bus statistics, including the pre-release access list and related technical documentation can be found here.
