Statistical Bulletin Transport Series - Trn/2005/1: Bus and Coach Statistics: 2003-04
1. Main Points
1.1 The total number of passenger journeys (boardings) on local bus services in Scotland:
- was 449 million in 2003-04, 1% more than in the previous year - this was only the seventh increase since the current records began in 1975, and was the first time since then that there have been increases in five consecutive years.
- fell by 15% between 1993-94 and 2003-04, compared with an increase of 4% in Great Britain and a fall of 13% for Great Britain outwith London.
- represented 89 journeys per head of population in 2003-04, 13% higher than the corresponding figure for Great Britain.
1.2 The distance travelled by local bus services in Scotland:
- was 390 million vehicle kilometres in 2003-04, 4% more than in the previous year.
- is 8% more than ten years ago, compared with no change in the figures for Great Britain.
- per head of population in 2003-04 was 73% higher than Great Britain.
- on subsidised services has increased by 33% over the past 10 years, compared with an increase of 32% in Great Britain outwith London.
1.3 All Scottish bus and coach services (local plus non-local):
- travelled 514 million vehicle kilometres in 2003-04, 1% less than in the previous year.
- travelled 1% less than in 1993-94, the same as the percentage change for Great Britain as a whole.
1.4 In real terms, fares on local bus services in Scotland fell by 1% between 2002-03 and 2003-04. They increased by 16% over the past ten years, 1% less than for Great Britain. Over the same 10 year period, motoring costs fell by 4% in real terms.
1.5 Passenger receipts from all Scottish bus and coach services (local plus non-local) totalled £474 million in 2003-04, in real terms £35 million less than the previous year and £2 million more than ten years earlier.
1.6 Local bus passenger receipts in Scotland in 2003-04 were £358 million and, in real terms were practically the same as ten years earlier, compared with increases of 14% for Great Britain and 11% for Great Britain outwith London.
1.7 In Scotland, over the past ten years, the number of single decker buses and coaches has increased by 12%, and the number of double deckers has reduced by 24%. Staff numbers in 2003-04 were the same as in 1993-94. The operating costs per vehicle kilometre (including depreciation) were 19% lower in real terms than ten years earlier.
Chart A: Distance travelled by bus services (Scotland)
Chart B: Distance travelled by local bus services per head of population
1.8 Since 1975, Scotland has seen a 50% reduction in the number of local bus passenger journeys (boardings) but a 15% increase in the distance travelled by local bus services. This compares with a 40% reduction in passenger journeys (boardings) for Great Britain as a whole and an increase of 5% in vehicle kilometres.
1.9 In the Scottish Household Survey interviews conducted in 2003, about seven-eighths of households said that they were within 6 minutes walk of a bus stop. About 4% of householders said that they had no bus service or were at least 14 minutes walk away from the nearest bus stop (or place where one could get on a bus). However, about 28% of householders in "remote" rural areas, and around 15% of those in "accessible" rural areas, said that they had no bus service or were at least 14 minutes walk away from one.
1.10 In 2003, the percentage of people said to have no bus service or a 14+ minute walk to the nearest bus stop, was highest for Highlands and Islands (about 15%) followed by Borders/ Dumfries and Galloway (around 13%). The percentages of the population within six minutes walk of a frequent bus service were highest in Edinburgh (45%) and Glasgow (41%).
1.11 In 2003, public transport was described as "very convenient" by 50% of adults in large urban areas and 21% of those living in rural areas. In "remote" rural areas, 28% said that it was "very inconvenient", and a further 18% felt that it was "fairly inconvenient".
1.12 In 2003, 41% of adults stated that they had used a local bus service within the previous month. Females made more use of local bus services than males, with 12% of women using a bus service every day or almost every day, compared to 8% of men. 7% of 16-19 year olds used a bus service every day, with a further 18% using a bus service almost every day.
1.13 In 2003, 71% of adults who had used a local bus service within the previous month agreed with the statement that the buses run on time. 74% agreed that the buses ran when they were needed, 76% found them comfortable, 86% felt safe and secure on the bus, 91% found the range and price of tickets easy to understand, and 70% of bus users felt that bus fares were good value.
1.14 In 2003, 11% of commuters said that they usually travelled to work by bus, 69% went by car or van, and 20% used other means (mainly walking). Proportionately more women travelled by bus. 45% of those who went by car/van said that they could use public transport.
1.15 In 2003, the percentage of those who usually travelled to work by car or van who said that they could use public transport was highest for those living in large urban areas (54%). Only 14% of car/van commuters living in "remote" rural areas said that they could use public transport.
1.16 In 2003, the bus was the usual means of travel to work for 19% of those living in large urban areas. Edinburgh (24%) and Glasgow (22%) had the highest percentages.
1.17 In 2003, the main reasons given by car and van commuters who could use public transport to travel to work for not doing so included "takes too long", "inconvenient", "no direct route" and "use my own car".
Chart C: Passenger journeys on local bus services (Scotland)
Chart D: Passenger journeys on local bus services per head of population
1.18 The main reasons given in 2003, for not using buses more often, by adults who used their local bus service at most "about once a week", if at all, included "use my own car", "inconvenient", "no need", " takes too long " and " lack of service ".
1.19 In 2003, 26% of the population hold a concessionary travel pass of which 81-86% are over 65.
1.20 In 2003, 14% of adults said that they would feel "very safe", and 39% "fairly safe", when travelling by bus in the evening. However, 8% would feel "not safe at all" and 13% "not particularly safe".
1.21 A concessionary travel pass which allows free off-peak travel on local bus services was held by over 90% of people aged 65-79 who did not have a full driving licence, and by over three-quarters of 65-79 year olds who could drive.
1.22 In 2003, about 9-12% of journeys made by adults each day were by bus, except on Sundays when it was only 5%. The percentage was higher for women (11%) than it was for men (8%); and was higher for those aged 16-19 and 70+ (19-21%) than for 30-59 year olds (6-7%). The self-employed, small employers and sole traders, adults living in households with an annual net income of over £40,000, and adults living in "remote" rural areas, all made at most 3% of their journeys by bus.