Chapter 02 - Bus and Coach travel
Chapter 02 - Bus and Coach travel
1. Introduction
1.1 This chapter provides information on bus and coach travel, such as the numbers of passenger journeys and vehicle-kilometres, passenger receipts and local bus fare indices, the numbers of vehicles of various types and the numbers of staff employed.
1.2 Estimates of passenger numbers, receipts and fares are based on a survey by the DfT and are therefore subject to sampling error. Figures from 2004-05 onwards are based on an improved methodology and may not be directly comparable with previous years. See the bus and coach section of the user guide.
Transport and travel habits in Scotland were profoundly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with restrictions on travel and daily activity in place for large parts of 2020.
Key points
- 127 million journeys were made by bus in 2020-21. This is a decrease of 65 per cent on 2019-20. Almost two fifths of these were made under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
- There were 1.5 million people with National Concessionary Travel cards in Scotland in 2021.
- The bus industry received £340 million in funding from local or central government in 2020-21. Passenger revenue in 2020-21 stood at £131 million in Scotland.
2. Main Points
Vehicles and Passengers
2.1 Around 127 million passenger journeys were made by bus in Scotland in 2020-21. This is a decrease of 65 per cent on 2019-20 and a 74 per cent fall from a peak in 2007-08. Journeys under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme make up almost two fifths of this figure (38%). (Table 2.2a)
2.2 The distance covered by local bus services (expressed in terms of 'vehicle kilometres') can be seen as a measure of bus service provision. Although this dropped in 2020 by 24%, this was a much smaller drop than the decrease in passenger numbers (65%). (Table 2.3a)
2.3 The number of buses in operators' fleets decreased by 13 per cent since 2015-16 and there was a 23 per cent decrease in the number of staff employed in the industry over the same period. (Table 2.1a and 2.4)
2.4 Passenger journeys in Great Britain fell by 66% and Scotland by 69% over the past five years. Vehicle kilometres in both Scotland and Great Britain fell by 24% over the same period. (Table 2.2a and 2.3a)
2.5 The declining trend in bus use contrasts with train travel in Scotland. Train accounts for only a quarter of the passenger journeys made by bus, but saw steady increases in passenger numbers over the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Table SGB1)
2.6 Bus travel in the South West and Strathclyde and South East (corresponding to the Regional Transport Partnership areas of SPT, SWestrans (Dumfries and Galloway) and SEStran) accounts for 83 per cent of bus journeys in Scotland. (Table 2.2b)
2.7 Bus use is higher in urban areas and lower in rural areas. The Scottish Household Survey travel diary shows 42 per cent of those who used the bus the previous day lived in large urban areas compared to three per cent of users living in accessible rural areas. (This compares to population estimates of 35% living in large urban areas and 6% living in remote rural areas.) These figures are supported by the results of the more general question on bus use included in the Transport and Travel in Scotland publication which shows 21 per cent of respondents in large urban areas had used the bus in the last month compared to 4 per cent of those in accessible rural areas. (Table 2.10)
Operator revenue
2.8 Bus operators in Scotland received £472 million in revenue in 2020-21, a decrease of 29 per cent on the previous year. Adjusting for the effects of inflation, total passenger revenue was 40 per cent less than 5 years ago, with the bulk of this drop in the last year. (Table 2.8)
2.9 In 2020-21, almost three quarters (£340 million, 72%) of operator revenue came from local or central government: through concessionary travel reimbursement, Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) or supported services. In the year previous, government support only accounted for 49% of operator revenue. Passenger revenue (i.e. ticket sales to non-concessionary passengers) accounted for around 28 per cent of operators' revenue (£131 million). Additional non-revenue support is excluded from these figures, specifically the Scottish Green Bus Fund and the Bus Investment Fund. (Table 2.8)
2.10 In real terms (adjusting for the effects of inflation), funding from local and national government is now 2 per cent lower than five years ago and overall passenger revenue is 40 percent less than it was 5 years ago. When looking at these figures it is necessary to consider the passenger number figures in Table 2.2a and the fares data in Table 2.5. Understandably, passenger revenue has been severely affected by the drop in bus use in 2020-21, although fares have increased by 6 per cent above general inflation over the same period. (Table 2.8, 2.2a and 2.5)
Fares
2.11 Bus fares in Scotland have increased by 6 per cent in real terms (adjusting for the effects of inflation) over the past five years, while the increase for Great Britain was 3 per cent. In current prices, i.e. viewing fare increases in the way that a consumer would, fares have risen by almost 16 per cent over the past five years. The increase in current prices is higher than in Great Britain as a whole which has seen an increase of 12 per cent over the last five years. (Table 2.5)
Operator costs
2.12 As would be expected with the significant drop in passenger numbers and smaller drop in service provision (as reflected in vehicle kilometres), operator costs per passenger journey increased significantly in 2020-21. In 2020-21 operating costs per passenger journey more than doubled (increasing by 167 per cent) from £1.96 per passenger journey to £4.49. Although the operating costs per vehicle km is lower than for the rest of GB (excluding London), operating costs per passenger journey remain higher in GB (£4.49 in Scotland, compared to £4.20 for GB excluding London). See also 'Other sources of data', as more detailed costs data is available from the Confederation of Passenger Transport. (Table 2.6 and 2.7)
Passenger Satisfaction
2.13 In 2019, the majority of people were satisfied with most aspects of bus services that the Scottish Household Survey asked them about (the relevant questions are currently included in the survey every second year). At least three quarters of respondents were satisfied with the extent to which buses ran to timetable; the cleanliness of buses; bus service is stable and not regularly changing; the ease of finding out route and timetable information; feel safe/secure on bus during day; and the simplicity of deciding which ticket they need. (Table 2.11)
2.15 Respondents gave lower satisfaction scores for the extent to which buses were environmentally friendly (56%) and whether the fares were good value (55%).
2.16 Additionally there was a noticeable difference in those who felt safe on the bus during the day and in the evening. Ninety-three per cent of respondents agreed that they felt safe using the bus during the day compared to 69 per cent in the evening.
Concessionary Travel
2.17 The National Concessionary Travel Scheme for older and disabled people was rolled out across Scotland in April 2006. The scheme enables individuals aged 60+ or those with a disability (who meet certain criteria) to travel free on buses across Scotland. In some local authorities the card can be used on trains and ferries. There is also a scheme for young people, The Young Scot Card. Those aged 16-18, or full-time volunteers aged under 26 can use the card to get a third off adult single fares on bus services in Scotland, a third off rail travel and two free journeys to the mainland for islanders. 149,000 young people were eligible to access the travel concessions available through their Young Scot card in 2020. The young persons scheme is excluded from the analysis in paragraph 2.19 and 2.20 but is included in table 11.29. (Table 2.13)
2.18 Ninety per cent of young people (16-18) had a concessionary fare pass under the Scheme in 2021, and 94 per cent of those aged 60 or over had a pass. These proportions have changed little over the period since the introduction of the national scheme, though there has been a steady increase in pass holder numbers over the period. (Table 2.12 and 2.13)
2.19 The majority of pass holders (90%) in the older and disabled persons scheme hold a pass on the basis of age. Of those who have a pass for the disabled or visually impaired, 78% have a companion card which allows someone to travel with them on the bus. Card holder numbers by local authority are shown in Table 2.14. (Table 2.13)
2.20 Details of trips made on buses under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme are included in Table 2.2a. Further details of journeys made on all modes of transport under the National Schemes and current and previous local schemes are shown in table 11.29. Bus journeys account for almost all (98%) of journeys made under the concessionary travel scheme. See the personal and cross modal travel section of the user guide for more detail around what is included in this table.
Other sources of data
(not National Statistics)
2.21 Some industry data are available, though as they are not produced by Government they are not National Statistics and do not comply with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They are included here as an alternative information source which may be of interest to readers.
2.22 The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) publish a Cost Index on their website. This shows that wages, staffing and labour accounted for around 60% of operating costs, with fuel accounting for 16%. Total costs have been above inflation for the last few years.
2.23 The Office of the Traffic Commissioner are responsible for the licensing of the operators of buses and coaches and the registration of local bus services (routes). Statistics are published in the Traffic Commissioners' Annual Reports. There were 27 cases of action taken at public inquiry for non-compliance (under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981) in Scotland in 2017-18, sixteen more than in 2016-17.
Notes
This worksheet contains one table.
note 1
This table covers all operators who run local bus services, including those who also do non-local work (e.g. private hire, school contracts). In previous years this table has also included operators who do solely non-local work. However, the Department for Transport no longer collects figures for these ‘nonlocal’ operators. In previous years non-local operators have accounted for around 8% of the Public Service Vehicles in use. Figures presented here will be lower than those previously published by a corresponding margin.
note 2
London buses (on local services) are equipped with non-ITSO (Oyster) smartcard readers.
note 3
Previous figures have been revised.
note 4
EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa. Many credit and debit cards can now be used for contactless payments where card holders can pay for their bus fare by touching their card on a reader rather than typing in their pin number. Passengers may also use such as Android Pay or Apple Pay. Excludes figures provided by a small number of operators whose vehicles were equipped but the readers were not live as at 31 March.mobile phone apps
note 5
Buses which have an Accessibility certificate issued under the Disability Discrimination Act PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 (DDA PSVAR 2000 Certificate)
note 6
Buses which do not have a DDA PSVAR 2000 Certificate but which have low floor designs, suitable for wheelchair access note 7 There is a break in the series in 2004/05 due to changes in the estimation methodology.
note 8
This table uses figures gathered through the Department for Transport’s survey of PSV operators. Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from previously published figures. Links to further information can be found on the Sources sheet.
note 9
Figures include a degree of estimation (e.g. allowances for claims not yet been processed) and may incur some small revisions to previously published data.
note 10
Administrative data collected by Transport Scotland in relation to the older and disabled persons scheme and the young persons scheme bus journeys. This is around 2-5% different from Scotland level estimates calculated from DfT survey data.
note 11
Estimated from DfT survey data; this will not be directly comparable with administrative data for Scotland.
note 12
Regional groupings have been dictated by commercial sensitivities around the disclosure of bus operators' financial information.
note 13
This table uses figures gathered through the Department for Transport’s survey of PSV operators. Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from previously published figures. Links to further information can be found on the Sources sheet.
note 14
Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City
note 15
Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Argyll & Bute
note 16
Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Edinburgh City, West Lothian
note 17
Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire
note 18
There is a break in the series in 2004/05 due to changes in the estimation methodology.
note 19
This table uses figures gathered through the Department for Transport’s survey of PSV operators. Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from previously published figures. Links to further information can be found on the Sources sheet.
note 20
Commercial and subsidised totals may not match Scotland totals due to rounding.
note 21
Figures relate to the financial year end.
note 22
Figures for local operators only (including those doing some non-local work)
note 23
Staff are classified according to their main occupation as some may have more than one function.
note 24
Break in the series due to changes in the estimation methodology from 2004/05
note 25
Fares at March of each year
note 26
Adjusted for general inflation, using the Retail Prices Index.
note 27
Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.
note 28
Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from
note 29
on an operating costs basis between London and the rest of the country would have little meaning.
note 30
Passenger fare receipts only include fare receipts retained by bus operators. On some tendered or supported services, fare receipts are passed to the local authority.
note 31
This table uses figures gathered through the Department for Transport’s survey of PSV operators. Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from previously published figures. Links to further information can be found on the Sources sheet.
note 32
Until 2003-04, receipts for local bus services include concessionary fare reimbursement from local authorities. From 2004-05 this only includes fare reciepts retained by bus operators. On some tendered or supported services, fare receipts are passed to the local authority.
note 33
Government support includes Bus Service Operators Grant, Concessionary Bus Travel and Local Authority gross costs incurred in support of bus services. The National Concessionary Travel scheme was introduced in April 2006. Figures for Government support prior to this include all modes of concessionary travel so are not comparable with later years.
note 34
The figures for 2012/13 Include an additional transitional assistance of 10 million for concessionary fares and 3 million for bus service operators grant towards the costs of bus operators by way of grant made under section 38 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. Concessionary fares for 2013/14 also included transitional assistance of 1.7 million.
note 35
Figures for previous years have been revised.
note 36
This table includes some figures gathered through the Department for Transport’s survey of PSV operators. Figures obtained from this source are revised as a matter of course and this table is likely to differ from previously published figures. Links to further information can be found on the Sources sheet.
note 37
Total of all local authorities' gross costs incurred in support of bus services, either directly or by subsidies to operators or individuals.
note 38
Figures refer to Transport Scotland spending on elderly, disabled and youth schemes. Prior to the centralisation of funding in 2006/07 it is not possible split out spending on bus schemes alone. Small revisions have been made to the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15
note 39
Includes Local Authority spending.
note 40
GB figures cover the total of all local authorities' net costs of concessionary bus travel and include funding for taxi tokens as well as administation costs.
note 41
There is no information on concessionary spending for 'other' modes in England and Wales. Therefore, the only difference between the GB (bus) and GB (all modes) figures will be a result of the differences in the Scotland concessionary fares figures only.
note 42
Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is a subsidy provided by Central Government to operators of local bus services.
note 43
Statistics for Concessionary Fare spend and Local Authority support for bus for England are published by Department for Communities and Local Government. Figures for Great Britain are calculated by combining the England, Wales and Scotland figures.
note 44
Totals exclude 'non-revenue' funding, specifically the Scottish Green Bus Fund and the Bus Investment Fund.
note 45
The figures for 2012/13 Include an additional transitional assistance of 10 million for concessionary fares and 3 million for bus service operators grant towards the costs of bus operators by way of grant made under section 38 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. Concessionary fares for 2013/14 also included transitional assistance of 1.7 million.
note 46
Figures prior to 2016-17 exclude recharge income and so are not directly comparable with figures from 2016-17 onwards.
note 47
BSOG in London now forms part of their public support grant (from October 2013).
note 48
The figure for 2018/19 Includes 3.25m additional assistance towards overall industry operating costs, via grant made under section 38 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.
note 49
The 2019/20 and 2020/21 values for BSOG include covid-19 section 70 support grant.
note 50
The 2019/20 and 2020/21 values for concessionary fares include covid-19 section 70 support grant in respect of the Free Bus Scheme.
note 51
This table has been amended from previous publications to ensure the method of calculation is consistent with other transport tables using Scottish Household Survey data. Percentages are slightly modified.
note 52
The concessionary travel pass question was not asked in 2018, but wil be asked again in 2019 and alternate years.
note 53
For concessionary travel pass, sample size in 2003 was 1,983 as this data was not collected in quarter 1; sample size in 2006 was 2,120 as a new concessionary scheme was introduced in April 2006.
note 54
Prior to 2007 only journeys over 1/4 mile were recorded. Since 2007 all journeys are recorded. This creates a discontinuity in the time series between 2006 and 2007.
note 55
From 2007 onwards, two new categories, 'Go home' and 'Just go for a walk', were added. 'Go home' has been separated out in this table but 'Just go for a walk' has not as these are largely going to be walking (only) journeys.
note 56
SHS data. Question asked of adults (16+), who have used the bus in the previous month.
note 57
Prior to 2012, question asked 'buses are on time'.
note 58
Changes to the questionnaire have been made between years so some response options are removed and new ones added.
note 59
The question about feeling safe and secure on the bus was split in 2009 to ask about during the day and in the evening.
note 60
This question will be asked in alternate years from 2019.
note 61
The question started thus: "do you have a concessionary travel pass which allows you to travel free of charge …" ' The remainer of the question depended upon the national minimum concessionary fare arrangements that applied at the time. - From April 2003 to March 2006, the question concluded: "…. on off-peak local bus services" - From April 2006, the question concluded: "… on scheduled bus services"
note 62
Figures for 2006 relate to the period from April to December, as new concessionary fare arrangements were introduced in April 2006.
note 63
This question is being asked in alternate years.
note 64
As at October in each year, with the exception of 2009 where the figure is as at February.
note 65
Figures for 2007 and 2008 should be interpreted with caution, due to possible double-counting in one local authority
note 66
This table displays changes over time at a national level. For the most up to date figures at national and local authority level consult table 23.
note 67
The new supplier of the National Entitlement Card programme is able to provide a more detailed split of card holder eligibility than Transport Scotland received previously. As well as being able to better identify eligibility, the new reports also identify duplicate cards ie where a customer has a card due to expire at the end of the month and a replacement has been issued, so these can now be excluded from the totals. These changes mean that data for 2013 onwards is not directly comparable with earlier years. Figures for Young Scot disability cards were mistakenly excluded from the figures for 2013. The figures have now been corrected.
note 68
This table provides the most up to date figure for the number of concessionary passes on issue at local authority and national level. Table 2.13 displays changes over time at a national level.
note 69
Break in the local bus series (outside London) due to changes in the estimation methodology from 2004/05.
note 70
Due to changes in the survey in response to covid-19, 2020 data is not directly comparable with previous years, so there is a break in the time series between 2019 and 2020
| Vehice characteristics | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of buses used as Public Service Vehicles | thousands | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 3.7 | -16 | -13 |
| Great Britain | 42.4 | 42.3 | 42.0 | 42.1 | 41.7 | 40.8 | 40.4 | 40.1 | 39.2 | 38.3 | 37.7 | -2 | -8 |
| Average age of the bus fleet | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | 7.8 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.7 | 8 | 11 |
| Great Britain | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 7 | 12 |
| Percentage of buses with CCTV | % | ||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 3] | 54 | 58 | 65 | 67 | 72 | 78 | 82 | 90 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 1 | 18 |
| Great Britain | 70 | 72 | 77 | 80 | 84 | 87 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 1 | 8 |
| Percentage of bus fleet with automatic vehicle location (AVL) device | % | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 57 | 76 | 81 | 90 | 86 | 86 | 94 | 95 | 95 | 99 | 98 | -1 | 14 |
| Great Britain | 66 | 73 | 86 | 91 | 93 | 94 | 96 | 97 | 97 | 98 | 98 | 0 | 4 |
| Percentage of buses with live ITSO smartcard readers | % | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 86 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 92 | 83 | 89 | 88 | 93 | 94 | 94 | 0 | 14 |
| Great Britain (outwith London) [Note 2] | 37 | 60 | 81 | 86 | 89 | 89 | 91 | 91 | 92 | 92 | 94 | 2 | 5 |
| Percentage of buses with live EMV readers that can accept contactless payment cards [Note 4] | % | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | 4 | 42 | 61 | 77 | 77 | 0 | .. |
| Great Britain (outwith London) [Note 2] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | 38 | 62 | 73 | 83 | 87 | 4 | .. |
| Types of buses | Number/percent | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buses with accessibility certificate [Note 5] | Number (thousands) | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 3.7 | -16 | -5 |
| Percentage of all buses | 59 | 62 | 71 | 76 | 87 | 91 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 99 | |||
| Buses with low floor access [Note 6] | Number (thousands) | 1.10 | 1.06 | 0.72 | 0.60 | 0.30 | 0.16 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 6 | -93 |
| Percentage of all buses | 23 | 22 | 16 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total accessible or low floor buses | Number (thousands) | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 3.7 | -16 | -9 |
| Percentage of all buses | 82 | 84 | 86 | 90 | 94 | 95 | 98 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Country | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| million | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | 430 | 436 | 420 | 421 | 414 | 410 | 392 | 387 | 375 | 363 | 127 | -65 | -69 |
| Great Britain | 5,164 | 5,191 | 5,099 | 5,201 | 5,142 | 5,023 | 4,931 | 4,834 | 4,781 | 4,526 | 1,727 | -62 | -66 |
| Of which concessionary passengers | |||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 9] [Note 10] | 147 | 149 | 146 | 149 | 146 | 143 | 142 | 136 | 141 | 138 | 48 | -65 | -66 |
| Great Britain [Note 11] | 1,772 | 1,803 | 1,764 | 1,794 | 1,759 | 1,715 | 1,692 | 1,637 | 1,634 | 1,554 | 551 | -65 | -68 |
| Percentage Concessionary passengers | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | 34% | 34% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 36% | 35% | 38% | 38% | 38% | ||
| Great Britain | 34% | 35% | 35% | 34% | 34% | 34% | 34% | 34% | 34% | 34% | 32% | ||
| Annual growth rates | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | -6% | 1% | -4% | 0% | -2% | -1% | -5% | -1% | -3% | -6% | -66% | ||
| Great Britain | 0% | 1% | -2% | 2% | -1% | -2% | -4% | -2% | -1% | -6% | -64% | ||
| Concessionary passengers | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | -4% | 2% | -2% | 2% | -2% | -2% | -3% | -4% | 4% | 1% | -66% | ||
| Great Britain | 0% | 2% | -2% | 2% | -2% | -2% | -4% | -3% | 0% | -5% | -66% |
| Region | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| million passenger journeys | |||||||||||||
| North East, Tayside and Central [Note 14] | 61 | 63 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 60 | 58 | 55 | 53 | 47 | 17 | -64 | -71 |
| Highlands, Islands and Shetland [Note 15] | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 4 | -66 | -71 |
| South East [Note 16] | 162 | 166 | 162 | 164 | 164 | 162 | 158 | 158 | 154 | 154 | 48 | -69 | -71 |
| South West and Strathclyde [Note 17] | 193 | 194 | 184 | 182 | 175 | 175 | 165 | 164 | 158 | 150 | 58 | -61 | -67 |
| Scotland | 430 | 436 | 420 | 421 | 414 | 410 | 392 | 387 | 375 | 363 | 127 | -65 | -69 |
| Country | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| million vehicle kilometres | |||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 20] | 346 | 338 | 327 | 332 | 336 | 341 | 337 | 334 | 331 | 336 | 256 | -24 | -25 |
| Commercial | 279 | 278 | 263 | 266 | 266 | 278 | 269 | 266 | 270 | 259 | 207 | -20 | -25 |
| Subsidised | 67 | 60 | 64 | 65 | 70 | 63 | 68 | 68 | 61 | 78 | 48 | -38 | -23 |
| Subsidised % of total | 19.3% | 17.8% | 19.7% | 19.7% | 21.0% | 18.5% | 20.3% | 20.4% | 18.3% | 23.0% | 18.9% | ||
| Annual growth rate | -8% | -2% | -3% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0% | -1% | -1% | 1% | -23% | ||
| GB outwith London | 2,109 | 2,072 | 2,043 | 2,035 | 2,011 | 1,977 | 1,938 | 1,876 | 1,846 | 1,804 | 1,404 | -22 | -29 |
| Commercial | 1,609 | 1,624 | 1,626 | 1,644 | 1,648 | 1,662 | 1,651 | 1,601 | 1,584 | 1,530 | 1,191 | -22 | -28 |
| Subsidised | 501 | 447 | 417 | 391 | 363 | 315 | 287 | 275 | 262 | 274 | 213 | -22 | -32 |
| Subsidised % of total | 23.7% | 21.6% | 20.4% | 19.2% | 18.1% | 16.0% | 14.8% | 14.6% | 14.2% | 15.2% | 15.2% | ||
| Great Britain [note 69] | 2,591 | 2,557 | 2,529 | 2,522 | 2,496 | 2,465 | 2,428 | 2,361 | 2,322 | 2,275 | 1,864 | -18 | -24 |
Source: DfT Bus Statistics
| Population /Vehicle kms | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | thousands | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 5,222 | 5,255 | 5,314 | 5,328 | 5,348 | 5,373 | 5,405 | 5,425 | 5,438 | 5,463 | 5,466 | 0 | 2 |
| Great Britain | 60,462 | 61,426 | 61,881 | 62,276 | 62,756 | 65,110 | 63,786 | 64,169 | 64,554 | 64,903 | 65,186 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle kilometres per head of population | vehicle km per head | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 66.3 | 64.3 | 61.5 | 62.3 | 62.9 | 63.5 | 62.4 | 61.5 | 60.9 | 61.6 | 46.8 | -24 | -26 |
| Great Britain | 42.8 | 41.6 | 40.9 | 40.5 | 39.8 | 37.9 | 38.1 | 36.8 | 36.0 | 35.0 | 28.6 | -18 | -24 |
| Ratio Scotland/GB | 1.55 | 1.55 | 1.51 | 1.54 | 1.58 | 1.68 | 1.64 | 1.67 | 1.69 | 1.76 | 1.64 | -7 | -3 |
| Region | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| million vehicle kilometres | |||||||||||||
| North East, Tayside and Central [Note 14] | 55 | 55 | 54 | 56 | 57 | 56 | 54 | 56 | 52 | 49 | 39 | -20 | -31 |
| Highlands, Islands and Shetland [Note 15] | 37 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 40 | 39 | 35 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 24 | -33 | -39 |
| South East [Note 16] | 104 | 102 | 101 | 103 | 100 | 99 | 99 | 101 | 102 | 111 | 81 | -27 | -18 |
| South West and Strathclyde [Note 17] | 151 | 148 | 139 | 141 | 140 | 148 | 149 | 145 | 143 | 141 | 112 | -21 | -24 |
| Scotland | 346 | 338 | 327 | 332 | 336 | 341 | 337 | 334 | 331 | 336 | 256 | -24 | -25 |
| Staff | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousand | |||||||||||||
| Platform staff [Note 23] | 11.4 | 10.6 | 10.1 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 11.1 | 9.3 | -17 | -11 |
| Maintenance and other staff [Note 23] | |||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | -17 | -24 |
| Other | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1 | -10 | -21 |
| Total maintenance | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 2.8 | -14 | -23 |
| All staff | 15.0 | 14.3 | 13.8 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 13.2 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 14.3 | 12.0 | -16 | -14 |
| Prices | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At current prices | 2005 = 100 | |||||||||||||
| Scotland | 129.5 | 132.2 | 139.1 | 145.1 | 149.8 | 153.2 | 157.6 | 163.6 | 171.9 | 175.5 | 181.7 | 182.2 | 0 | 16 |
| Great Britain | 129.0 | 135.2 | 143.1 | 149.6 | 153.9 | 158.6 | 161.1 | 163.6 | 168.4 | 173.3 | 177.8 | 180.4 | 1 | 12 |
| At constant prices [Note 26] | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland | 113.3 | 111.1 | 113.0 | 114.7 | 116.5 | 119.2 | 122.0 | 123.8 | 126.9 | 127.2 | 129.7 | 129.1 | 0 | 6 |
| Great Britain | 112.8 | 113.6 | 116.3 | 118.2 | 119.7 | 123.3 | 124.7 | 123.8 | 124.4 | 125.6 | 126.9 | 127.9 | 1 | 3 |
| Area | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 2020-21 Prices (including depreciation) | Pence per Vehicle Kilometre | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 198 | 219 | 218 | 215 | 210 | 202 | 206 | 201 | 218 | 213 | 223 | 4 | 10 |
| GB outwith London [Note 29] | 214 | 223 | 223 | 225 | 225 | 227 | 227 | 227 | 233 | 235 | 260 | 11 | 15 |
| Area | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 2020-21 Prices (including depreciation) | Pence per passenger journey | ||||||||||||
| Scotland | 159 | 169 | 169 | 168 | 169 | 168 | 176 | 173 | 193 | 196 | 449 | 129 | 167 |
| GB outwith London [Note 29] | 156 | 161 | 164 | 163 | 164 | 165 | 163 | 163 | 167 | 174 | 420 | 142 | 154 |
| Revenue | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current prices | £ Million | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 32] [Note 35] | 330 | 328 | 336 | 350 | 361 | 356 | 383 | 397 | 385 | 364 | 338 | 131 | -61 | -66 |
| Great Britain [Note 35] | 3,156 | 3,299 | 3,439 | 3,575 | 3,701 | 3,744 | 3,757 | 3,697 | 3,760 | 3,778 | 3,590 | 1,414 | -61 | -62 |
| Government support [Note 33] | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 34] | 312 | 295 | 299 | 312 | 300 | 299 | 302 | 300 | 303 | 316 | 326 | 340 | 5 | 13 |
| Total passenger revenue [Note 33] | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 34] | 642 | 622 | 640 | 662 | 661 | 655 | 685 | 696 | 689 | 679 | 663 | 472 | -29 | -31 |
| 2020-21 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.) | ||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland | 384 | 407 | 411 | 420 | 422 | 412 | 440 | 446 | 426 | 394 | 358 | 131 | -63 | -70 |
| Great Britain | 3,668 | 4,091 | 4,200 | 4,281 | 4,332 | 4,332 | 4,321 | 4,159 | 4,158 | 4,098 | 3,805 | 1,415 | -63 | -67 |
| Government support [Note 33] | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 34] | 363 | 365 | 365 | 373 | 351 | 346 | 348 | 337 | 335 | 342 | 345 | 341 | -1 | -2 |
| Total passenger revenue [Note 33] | ||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 34] | 747 | 772 | 776 | 793 | 773 | 758 | 788 | 783 | 762 | 737 | 703 | 472 | -33 | -40 |
| HMT GDP deflator (Taken from HMT website on18/1/22) | 79.328708 | 80.651588 | 81.86984 | 83.520664 | 85.433765 | 86.41802 | 86.954123 | 88.898807 | 90.429761 | 92.194722 | 94.351047 | 100 |
| Revenue | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | % change over 1 year | % change over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Prices | |||||||||||||||||||
| Local Authority bus support [Note 37] | £ Million | ||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 46] | 38 | 45 | 48 | 53 | 54 | 62 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 60 | 53 | 57 | 59 | 57 | 67 | 16 | 10 |
| Great Britain [Note 43] | 995 | 1,089 | 1,160 | 1,217 | 1,342 | 1,318 | 1,145 | 1,084 | 1,038 | 1,094 | 1,072 | 1,071 | 1,120 | 1,134 | 1,060 | 889 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London [Note 43] | 439 | 493 | 543 | 555 | 617 | 626 | 581 | 565 | 538 | 538 | 485 | 449 | 461 | 451 | 478 | 448 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Concessionary fares | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland (bus) [Note 38] [Note 50] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 155 | 163 | 180 | 187 | 175 | 181 | 199 | 190 | 190 | 189 | 194 | 195 | 202 | 216 | 223 | 3 | 18 |
| Scotland (all modes) [Note 50] | 90 | 95 | 166 | 173 | 193 | 202 | 183 | 188 | 204 | 195 | 198 | 196 | 196 | 197 | 205 | 218 | 223 | 2 | 14 |
| Great Britain (bus) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 931 | 1,027 | 1,172 | 1,224 | 1,246 | 1,248 | 1,282 | 1,304 | 1,313 | 1,309 | 1,297 | 1,259 | 1,253 | 1,202 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (bus) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 769 | 851 | 991 | 1,041 | 1,055 | 1,038 | 1,062 | 1,070 | 1,074 | 1,071 | 1,068 | 1,040 | 1,035 | 984 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Great Britain (all modes) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | 616 | 623 | 942 | 1,037 | 1,185 | 1,239 | 1,254 | 1,254 | 1,284 | 1,306 | 1,321 | 1,316 | 1,299 | 1,261 | 1,256 | 1,204 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (all modes) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | 478 | 472 | 780 | 861 | 1,004 | 1,056 | 1,063 | 1,045 | 1,064 | 1,072 | 1,082 | 1,078 | 1,070 | 1,042 | 1,038 | 987 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Bus Service Operators Grant [Note 42] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 48] [Note49] | 56 | 57 | 59 | 60 | 63 | 64 | 63 | 60 | 53 | 50 | 51 | 53 | 53 | 51 | 55 | 53 | 51 | -3 | -3 |
| Great Britain [Note 47] | 419 | 435 | 441 | 472 | 504 | 515 | 505 | 512 | 415 | 348 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London [Note 47] | 328 | 340 | 344 | 369 | 391 | 403 | 397 | 401 | 327 | 306 | 302 | 306 | 304 | 300 | 303 | 299 | 51 | -83 | -83 |
| All government support [Note 44] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland (bus) [Note 45] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 262 | 276 | 296 | 312 | 295 | 299 | 312 | 300 | 299 | 302 | 300 | 303 | 316 | 326 | 340 | 5 | 13 |
| Scotland (all modes) [Note 45] | 184 | 197 | 273 | 286 | 309 | 327 | 303 | 306 | 317 | 305 | 307 | 309 | 302 | 305 | 319 | 328 | 341 | 4 | 10 |
| Great Britain (bus) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 2,531 | 2,716 | 3,017 | 3,056 | 2,896 | 2,843 | 2,739 | 2,735 | 2,687 | 2,686 | 2,721 | 2,693 | 2,616 | 2,390 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (bus) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 1,655 | 1,775 | 1,998 | 2,069 | 2,033 | 2,004 | 1,929 | 1,907 | 1,919 | 1,887 | 1,885 | 1,849 | 1,874 | 1,788 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Great Britain (all modes) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | 2,030 | 2,147 | 2,542 | 2,725 | 3,030 | 3,071 | 2,904 | 2,851 | 2,730 | 2,749 | 2,695 | 2,693 | 2,723 | 2,695 | 2,619 | 2,392 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (all modes) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | 1,245 | 1,305 | 1,667 | 1,784 | 2,011 | 2,084 | 2,041 | 2,011 | 1,920 | 1,921 | 1,869 | 1,833 | 1,835 | 1,794 | 1,818 | 1,734 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| 2019-20 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Local Authority bus support [Note 37] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland | 47 | 58 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 71 | 70 | 67 | 70 | 59 | 63 | 64 | 61 | 67 | 10 | -4 |
| Great Britain [Note 43] | 1,235 | 1,401 | 1,449 | 1,479 | 1,584 | 1,532 | 1,420 | 1,324 | 1,243 | 1,280 | 1,240 | 1,231 | 1,260 | 1,254 | 1,149 | 943 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London [Note 43] | 545 | 634 | 678 | 675 | 728 | 727 | 720 | 691 | 644 | 630 | 561 | 517 | 518 | 499 | 518 | 475 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Concessionary fares | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland (bus) [Note 38] [Note 45] [Note 50] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 194 | 198 | 213 | 217 | 217 | 221 | 238 | 222 | 220 | 217 | 218 | 216 | 219 | 228 | 223 | -3 | 2 |
| Scotland (all modes) [Note 39] [Note 45] [Note 50] | 112 | 122 | 207 | 210 | 228 | 235 | 227 | 230 | 244 | 228 | 229 | 225 | 221 | 218 | 222 | 231 | 223 | -4 | -1 |
| Great Britain (bus) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 1,163 | 1,248 | 1,384 | 1,423 | 1,545 | 1,524 | 1,535 | 1,526 | 1,520 | 1,505 | 1,459 | 1,392 | 1,359 | 1,273 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (bus) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 961 | 1,034 | 1,170 | 1,210 | 1,308 | 1,268 | 1,272 | 1,252 | 1,243 | 1,231 | 1,201 | 1,150 | 1,122 | 1,043 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Great Britain (all modes) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | 765 | 802 | 1,177 | 1,260 | 1,399 | 1,440 | 1,555 | 1,532 | 1,537 | 1,528 | 1,529 | 1,513 | 1,461 | 1,394 | 1,362 | 1,276 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (all modes) [Note 40] [Note 41] [Note 43] | 594 | 608 | 974 | 1,046 | 1,185 | 1,227 | 1,318 | 1,276 | 1,273 | 1,254 | 1,252 | 1,239 | 1,203 | 1,153 | 1,125 | 1,046 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Bus Service Operators Grant [Note 42] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland [Note 45] [Note49] | 70 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 74 | 74 | 78 | 73 | 64 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 59 | 56 | 60 | 56 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Great Britain [Note 45] [Note 47] | 520 | 560 | 551 | 574 | 595 | 599 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London [Note 45] [Note 47] | 407 | 438 | 430 | 449 | 462 | 469 | 492 | 490 | 392 | 359 | 349 | 352 | 342 | 332 | 329 | 317 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| All government support [Note 44] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scotland (bus) [Note 45] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 327 | 336 | 349 | 363 | 365 | 365 | 373 | 351 | 346 | 348 | 337 | 335 | 342 | 345 | 341 | -1 | -2 |
| Scotland (all modes) [Note 45] | 229 | 253 | 341 | 348 | 365 | 380 | 375 | 374 | 379 | 357 | 355 | 356 | 339 | 338 | 346 | 348 | 341 | -2 | -4 |
| Great Britain (bus) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 3,163 | 3,301 | 3,562 | 3,552 | 3,590 | 3,473 | 3,279 | 3,201 | 3,110 | 3,089 | 3,061 | 2,979 | 2,837 | 2,533 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (bus) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 2,068 | 2,157 | 2,359 | 2,405 | 2,520 | 2,448 | 2,309 | 2,232 | 2,221 | 2,170 | 2,121 | 2,045 | 2,032 | 1,895 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Great Britain (all modes) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | 2,520 | 2,763 | 3,177 | 3,312 | 3,577 | 3,570 | 3,600 | 3,482 | 3,269 | 3,218 | 3,119 | 3,097 | 3,063 | 2,981 | 2,840 | 2,536 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| GB outwith London (all modes) [Note 41] [Note43] [Note 47] | 1,546 | 1,679 | 2,083 | 2,169 | 2,374 | 2,422 | 2,530 | 2,457 | 2,299 | 2,249 | 2,163 | 2,108 | 2,064 | 1,984 | 1,972 | 1,837 | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] | [Unavailable] |
| Gender/age/income/location | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 [Note 70] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| by gender | column percentages | ||||||||||
| Male | 40 | 41 | 41 | 43 | 47 | 45 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 47 | 51 |
| Female | 60 | 59 | 59 | 57 | 53 | 55 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 53 | 49 |
| by age | |||||||||||
| 16-19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 4 |
| 20-29 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 28 |
| 30-39 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 17 |
| 40-49 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| 50-59 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
| 60-69 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 13 |
| 70-79 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 80 and over | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| by current status | |||||||||||
| Self employed | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Employed full time | 27 | 34 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 37 | 28 |
| Employed part time | 10 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 26 |
| Looking after the home or family | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Permanently retired from work | 27 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 15 |
| Unemployed and seeking work | 7 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 11 |
| At school | 6 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| In further/higher education | 13 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 13 |
| Government work or training scheme | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Permanently sick or disabled | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Unable to work because of short-term illness or injury | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| by journey purpose [Note 53] | |||||||||||
| Commuting | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 45 |
| Education | 10 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 13 |
| Shopping | 28 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 23 | 17 |
| Visit hospital or other health | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| On other personal business | 4 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Visiting friends or relatives | 8 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Sport/entertainment | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Go home | 2 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Other purpose | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| by annual net household income (adjusted for RPI inflation) | |||||||||||
| up to £10,000 p.a. | 11 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| £10,000 - £15,000 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 16 |
| £15,000 - £20,000 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 14 | 18 |
| £20,000 - £25,000 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 26 |
| £25,000 - £30,000 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 7 |
| £30,000 - £40,000 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 4 |
| £40,000 - £50,000 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| over £50,000 p.a. | 12 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 15 |
| by urban/rural classification | |||||||||||
| Large urban areas | 57 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 56 | 54 | 53 | 54 | 56 | 53 | 42 |
| Other urban | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 32 |
| Small accessible towns | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
| Small remote towns | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Accessible rural | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 3 |
| Remote rural | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| by frequency of driving | |||||||||||
| Every day | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 16 |
| At least three times a week | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| Once or twice a week | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Less often | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Never, but holds full driving licence | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| Does not hold a full driving licence | 73 | 67 | 67 | 70 | 66 | 71 | 67 | 72 | 68 | 62 | 69 |
| by whether or not respondent has concessionary travel pass [Note 54] | |||||||||||
| Yes | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 38 | 34 | [Not available] | 34 | [Not available] |
| No | 67 | 67 | 67 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 62 | 66 | [Not available] | 66 | [Not available] |
| Sample size (=100%) | 1,440 | 1,580 | 1,540 | 1,720 | 1,650 | 1,730 | 1,470 | 1,470 | 1,520 | 1,370 | 81 |
| Percentage agreeing with each statement | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buses run to timetable [Note 57] | 71 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 77.9 | 74.5 | 75 |
| Buses are frequent | 77 | 79 | 80 | 80 | 79 | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] |
| Service runs when I need it | 71 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 74 | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] |
| Journey times are reasonable | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 85 | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] |
| Bus service is stable and not regulary changing | 80 | 80 | 79 | 80 | 78 | 83 | 80 | 77 | |
| Buses are clean | 72 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 80 | 78 | 79 | 81 | |
| Buses are comfortable | 73 | 74 | 77 | 78 | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] |
| Buses are environmentally friendly | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 56 | 66 | 62 | 56 |
| I feel personally safe and secure [Note 59] | 80 | 81 | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] |
| Feel safe/secure on bus during day [Note 59] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 91 | 91 | 94 | 93 | 94 | 93 | 93 |
| Feel safe/secure on bus during the evening [Note 59] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 58 | 59 | 63 | 62 | 69 | 70 | 69 |
| Simple deciding what ticket I need | 87 | 87 | 86 | 88 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 88 | 86 |
| Finding out about routes and times is easy | 77 | 79 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 84 | 86 | 83 | 84 |
| Easy to change from buses to other forms of transport | 69 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 76 | 75 | 75 | 76 | 70 |
| Bus fares are good value | 63 | 58 | 57 | 59 | 59 | 55 | 60 | 61 | 55 |
| Sample Size | 2,697 | 2,846 | 2,902 | 2,833 | 2,984 | 4,068 | 4,070 | 3,910 | 3,770 |
| Age | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cell percentages | |||||||||
| All adults aged 16+ | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
| All adults aged 60+ | 87 | 87 | 88 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 89 |
| Age band | |||||||||
| 16 - 39 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 40 - 49 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 50 - 59 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 60 - 64 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 80 |
| 65 - 69 | 90 | 88 | 91 | 90 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 89 | 91 |
| 70 - 74 | 91 | 93 | 92 | 92 | 91 | 93 | 93 | 91 | 93 |
| 75 - 79 | 93 | 91 | 94 | 90 | 93 | 92 | 93 | 93 | 92 |
| 80 + | 87 | 90 | 88 | 89 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 91 |
| Card type | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 [Note 67] | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| 60+ | 1,018,941 | 1,049,490 | 1,074,616 | 1,141,214 | 1,142,923 | 1,170,709 | 1,146,751 | 1,156,063 | 1,203,751 | 1,256,531 | 1,281,703 | 1,320,458 |
| Disabled | 59,470 | 60,866 | 61,660 | 43,979 | 44,381 | 43,590 | 41,348 | 39,384 | 37,228 | 37,268 | 30,611 | 28,113 |
| Disabled + companion | 100,613 | 105,325 | 109,680 | 93,619 | 96,253 | 106,078 | 111,486 | 118,217 | 123,786 | 129,308 | 115,722 | 105,827 |
| Visually impaired | 4,782 | 4,790 | 4,751 | 4,188 | 4,092 | 4,041 | 3,921 | 3,826 | 3,787 | 3,852 | 3,683 | 3,572 |
| Visually impaired + companion | 11,269 | 11,373 | 11,554 | 10,223 | 10,102 | 10,099 | 9,745 | 9,592 | 9,546 | 9,658 | 9,085 | 8,541 |
| All cards | 1,195,075 | 1,231,844 | 1,262,261 | 1,293,223 | 1,297,751 | 1,334,517 | 1,313,251 | 1,327,082 | 1,378,098 | 1,436,617 | 1,440,804 | 1,466,511 |
| Young persons scheme (16-18) | [Not available] | [Not available] | [Not available] | 131,210 | 152,626 | 152,473 | 151,767 | 149,790 | 147,410 | 147,326 | 147,060 | 148,527 |
| Local authority | Disabled | Disabled + companion | Visually impaired | Visually impaired + companion | 60+ | All card holders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | 1,624 | 3,620 | 248 | 269 | 47,673 | 53,434 |
| Aberdeenshire | 1,134 | 2,691 | 243 | 350 | 60,883 | 65,301 |
| Angus | 705 | 1,561 | 83 | 136 | 32,325 | 34,810 |
| Argyll and Bute | 371 | 1,291 | 53 | 142 | 29,416 | 31,273 |
| Clackmannanshire | 226 | 771 | 19 | 70 | 11,756 | 12,842 |
| Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar | 59 | 227 | 6 | 12 | 8,154 | 8,458 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 597 | 2,338 | 71 | 186 | 43,277 | 46,469 |
| Dundee City | 954 | 4,457 | 123 | 295 | 33,247 | 39,076 |
| East Ayrshire | 677 | 2,994 | 79 | 243 | 29,476 | 33,469 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 348 | 1,220 | 62 | 145 | 31,936 | 33,711 |
| East Lothian | 673 | 1,532 | 53 | 118 | 28,097 | 30,473 |
| East Renfrewshire | 328 | 1,052 | 52 | 112 | 23,811 | 25,355 |
| Edinburgh | 3,795 | 9,074 | 215 | 579 | 120,407 | 134,070 |
| Falkirk | 839 | 2,849 | 90 | 210 | 36,201 | 40,189 |
| Fife | 1,670 | 9,863 | 377 | 749 | 94,117 | 106,776 |
| Glasgow | 4,488 | 19,391 | 334 | 1,060 | 117,842 | 143,115 |
| Highland | 922 | 3,064 | 57 | 364 | 61,888 | 66,295 |
| Inverclyde | 344 | 2,486 | 71 | 221 | 21,479 | 24,601 |
| Midlothian | 464 | 1,898 | 37 | 122 | 23,328 | 25,849 |
| Moray | 471 | 1,063 | 76 | 140 | 24,202 | 25,952 |
| North Ayrshire | 593 | 3,054 | 103 | 350 | 39,902 | 44,002 |
| North Lanarkshire | 1,439 | 6,558 | 157 | 534 | 72,562 | 81,250 |
| Orkney Islands | 67 | 544 | 2 | 38 | 6,225 | 6,876 |
| Perth and Kinross | 545 | 2,184 | 191 | 306 | 39,753 | 42,979 |
| Renfrewshire | 857 | 3,637 | 134 | 333 | 44,871 | 49,832 |
| Scottish Borders | 605 | 1,219 | 99 | 154 | 31,838 | 33,915 |
| Shetland Islands | 133 | 520 | 7 | 17 | 6,035 | 6,712 |
| South Ayrshire | 484 | 2,138 | 79 | 235 | 35,955 | 38,891 |
| South Lanarkshire | 1,148 | 5,867 | 280 | 581 | 80,604 | 88,480 |
| Stirling | 384 | 1,165 | 64 | 90 | 21,139 | 22,842 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 526 | 2,229 | 51 | 140 | 23,104 | 26,050 |
| West Lothian | 643 | 3,270 | 56 | 240 | 38,955 | 43,164 |
