Bus journeys at ten-year low

BUS travel in England has fallen to its lowest level in a decade – down to 4.45billion journeys, new figures show.

The decline in bus use could lead to more road congestion and worsening air quality, the Local Government Association warned, and is calling for more funding from Westminster.

The fall of 1.7 per cent means there were 75 million fewer journeys in the year to March, while outside London the figure was 1.1 per cent, said the LGA.

Martin Tett, the LGA’s transport spokesman, said it was ‘hugely concerning’ to see such a steady decrease in bus journeys. Meanwhile, Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: ‘This report comes as no surprise when we consider that since 2010, bus fares have increased by 9.2 per cent over the rate of inflation.’