The Department for Transport have recently released ‘Annual Bus Statistics 2009/2010′ reporting a decrease in Bus Passenger journeys in England between 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 by 0.5%.
Despite still tough times in the workplace and the current recession, passenger journeys in England increased by 0.1% between April – June 2010 and January – March 2010, which is showing slow shows of recovery.
Interestingly in Scotland, the number of bus journeys decreased by 5.2%, whilst in Wales 6.6%. Overall Bus vehicle mileage in England fell by 1.2% between 2008/2009 and 2009/2010.
Bus fares increased by 0.2% in England, noticeably between March 2009 and March 2010. In 2009/2010, concessionary card holders made up to 34% of all bus journeys compared with 33% in 2008/2009.
In 2009/2010 there were 85,000 PSVs in use in Great Britain, of which 46,900 were buses and 38,900 were coaches and minibuses. There was a 3.9% rise in the number of PCVs in comparison to 2008/2009, but a 0.5% fall in the number of buses.
Provisional estimates suggest that 50.9% of operating revenue for local bus service work came from passenger fares in 2009/2010, compared to 48.9% in 2008/2009. Figures show that net public funding support for local bus services in England fell by 3.1% in real terms between 2008/2009 and 2009/2010.
Taking the bus rather than driving in the car according to new research is a third less stressful.
Dr David Lewis from The University of Sussex found motorists face a hidden mental health impact from the stress and strain of driving, however travelling by bus can produce long term health benefits.
Elements such as ‘road rage‘ and an increase in the heart rate and EDR (Electro-Dermal Response) when driving have proven 33% more when driving compared with travelling passenger on the bus. This type of stress can have long term physiological and emotional implications. Whereas boarding the bus can produce significant long term health benefits.
With more and more cars on the road, CO2 pollution emissions could be cut if more people used the bus to travel, whether it be to work, leisure and studies. Just one double decker bus can take 75 cars off the road and considerably reduce emissions levels in the UK.
With increasing traffic congestion and delays and the sense of frustration of ‘wasting one’s life’ behind the wheel of the car, restricted to casual conversations or listening to the radio. On a bus it is possible to fill the time more fruitfully by doing some work or reading.
Various Green Journey campaigns can encouraging people to get out of their cars and on to the bus for trips where it makes sense – such as shopping in town, heading to a restaurant or pub or going to the movies.
With increasing insurance premiums, rising fuel costs, parking fees and limitations on top of traffic congestion using the bus has never seemed so attractive.
London has led the way in Public Transport in the UK with a 100% Low Floor Bus Network in the Capital.
Ideal for all, especially families with buggies, tourists, wheelchair users and children Low Floor Buses were first introduced in 1996 in the Capital. Now in 2010, the whole TfL network is fully Low Floor.
Whether your boarding the standard red Double Deckers, Low Floor Single Deckers or the controversial Bendy Buses in the Capital, people from all backgrounds and ages can enjoy easy access onto the TfL bus network.
There is however still the traditional London Routemasters operating in limited numbers on the ‘heritage routes 9 and 15′ in the Capital. Naturally there are not Low Floor, but equally provide people with the old fashioned open platform which proves very popular with all.
