Scottish Transport Statistics No 34 2015 Edition

Bus and Coach Travel

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 Notes and Definitions section.

Key points

  • 414 million journeys were made by bus in 2014-15. More than a third of these were made under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
  • There were 1.3 million people with National Concessionary Travel cards in Scotland in 2015.
  • The bus industry received almost £300 million in funding from Local or Central Government in 2014-15. Passenger revenue in 2014-15 stood at £357 million in Scotland.

2. Main Points

Vehicles & Passengers

2.1 Around 414 million passenger journeys were made by bus in Scotland in 2014-15. This is a decrease of 2 per cent on 2013-14 and a 15 per cent fall from a peak in 2007-08. Journeys under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme make up just over a third of this figure (36%). (Table 2.2a)

2.2 Similarly, vehicle kilometres have fallen by 12 per cent over the past five years, with the distance covered falling in three of the last five years; 2012-13 to 2013-14 being the only period seeing a rise (up 1%). The fall has been similar in both commercial and subsidised services. (Table 2.3a)

2.3 There is further evidence of contraction in the industry with the number of buses in operators' fleets falling by 14 per cent over the past five years, and an 5 per cent fall in the number of staff employed in the industry over the same period. (Table 2.1a and 2.4)

2.4 There is a slightly contrasting picture for Great Britain as a whole, which has seen passenger journeys remain relatively stable over the past five years and, although vehicle kilometres have fallen, they have done so at a slower rate than in Scotland (a 6% fall compared to a 12% fall). (Table 2.3a)

2.5 The picture of bus use in Scotland also contrasts with train travel in Scotland, which accounts for only a fifth of the passenger journeys made by bus but has seen steady increases in passenger numbers over the past few years. (Table SGB1)

2.6 There are regional variations in bus travel with the Southwest and Strathclyde and South East (corresponding to the Regional Transport Partnership areas of SPT, SWestrans (Dumfries and Galloway) and SEStran) accounting for 82 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 57 per cent of those who used the bus the previous day lived in large urban areas compared to two per cent of users living in remote 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 57 per cent of respondents in large urban areas had used the bus in the last month compared to 21 per cent of those in remote rural areas. (Table 2.10)

Operator revenue

2.8 Bus operators in Scotland received £654 million in revenue in 2014-15, a decrease of 1 per cent on the previous year but a 2 per cent increase over the last 5 years. Adjusting for the effects of inflation total passenger revenue decreased 8 per cent over the last 5 years. (Table 2.8)

2.9 Almost half (£297 million, 45%) of operator revenue came from Local or Central Government: whether through concessionary travel reimbursement, Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) or supported services. Passenger revenue (ie ticket sales to non-concessionary passengers) accounted for around 55 per cent of operators' revenue (£357 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 14 per cent lower than five years ago and passenger revenue is 8 per cent lower than 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. The fall in passenger revenue over the last five years is the result of a 10 per cent decrease in passengers although fares have increased by 2 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 2 per cent in real terms (adjusting for the effects of inflation) over the past five years, which is better than the increase of 7 per cent for Great Britain. In current prices, i.e. viewing fare increases in the way that a consumer would, fares have risen by almost a fifth over the past five years. The increase in current prices is lower than in Great Britain as a whole which has seen an increase of 25 per cent over the last five years. (Table 2.5)

Operator costs

2.12 Operating costs for bus operators have risen consistently over time. Over the past five years operating costs per vehicle km have increased by 11 per cent in real terms. Operating costs per journey have risen by 8 per cent from £1.35 per passenger journey to £1.45. Although these increases are higher than those seen in the rest of GB (excluding London), operating costs per vehicle km remain higher in GB (£1.83 in Scotland, compared to £1.93 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 People were satisfied with most aspects of bus services that the Scottish Household Survey asked them about. (Table 2.11)

2.14 At least three quarters of respondents were satisfied with the extent to which buses ran to timetable; the cleanliness of buses; the ease of changing to other forms of transport; the ease of finding out route and timetable information; and the simplicity of deciding which ticket they need.

2.15 Respondents gave lower satisfaction scores for the extent to which buses were environmentally friendly (66%) and whether the fares were good value (60%).

2.16 Additionally there was a noticeable difference in those who felt safe on the bus during the day and in the evening. Ninety-four 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. Just over 152,000 young people were eligible to access the travel concessions available through their Young Scot card in 2015. 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 Twenty seven per cent of all adults (16+) had a concessionary fare pass under the Scheme in 2014, and 87 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 (88%) 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, 71% 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 (95%) of journeys made under the concessionary travel scheme. See the notes in Chapter 11 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 58% of operating costs, with fuel accounting for 18%. 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 29 cases of action taken at public inquiry for non-compliance (under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981) in Scotland in 2014-15, twelve less than in 2013-14.

Figure 2.1 Vehicle stock by type of vehicle

Figure 2.1 Vehicle stock by type of vehicle

Figure 2.2 Passenger journeys (boardings) and vehicle-kilometres

Figure 2.3 Passenger journeys (boardings) and vehicle-kilometres

Note: Figures prior to 2004/05 are not strictly comparable with previous years due to changes in the methodology.

Figure 2.3 Local bus fare indices

Figure 2.3  Local bus fare indices

Table 2.1a: Public Service Vehicle characteristics (Local Operators)1
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
Number of buses used as Public Service Vehicles thousands
Scotland 5.3 5.4 5.4 5 4.8 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.3 -7 -14
Great Britain 42.8 42.6 42.8 42.8 42.4 42.4 41.9 42.2 41.7 -1 -3
Average age of the bus fleet
Scotland 8.5 8.3 8.3 7.8 7.9 8.5 8.3 8.3 8.1 -2 4
Great Britain 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.6 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.8 7.8 0 3
Percentage of buses with CCTV %
Scotland 3 35 39 45 52 54 58 65 67 72 7 38
Great Britain 49 54 60 67 70 72 77 80 84 5 25
Percentage of bus fleet with automatic vehicle location (AVL) device %
Scotland 22 35 44 44 57 76 81 90 86 -4 95
Great Britain 33 45 52 56 66 73 86 91 93 2 66
Percentage of buses with live ITSO Smart-card readers %
Scotland 86 87 88 88 92 5
Great Britain (outwith London)2 37 60 81 86 89 3

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
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 ‘non-local’ 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.
2 London buses (on local services) are equipped with non-ITSO (Oyster) smartcard readers.
3 Previous figures have been revised.

Table 2.1b: Number of disability accessible or low-floor buses used as Public Service Vehicles in Scotland (Local Operators)1
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
Buses with accessibility certificate2
Number (thousands) 1.5 1.9 2.2 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.3 3.5 3.7 7 47
Percentage of all buses 29 35 41 51 59 62 71 76 87
Buses with low floor access3
Number (thousands) 1.4 1.1 1.6 1.4 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.3 -50 -78
Percentage of all buses 26 21 29 27 23 22 16 13 7
Total accessible or low-floor buses
Number (thousands) 2.9 3.1 3.8 3.9 3.9 4.1 4.0 4.1 4.0 -2 4
Percentage of all buses 55 57 70 78 82 84 86 90 94

Source: DfT Bus Statistics

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 ‘non-local’ 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.
2 Buses which have an Accessibility certificate issued under the Disability Discrimination Act PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 (DDA PSVAR 2000 Certificate)
3 Buses which do not have a DDA PSVAR 2000 Certificate but which have low floor designs, suitable for wheelchair access

Table 2.2a: Passenger journeys on local bus services1,2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
million
Scotland 460 466 476 488 484 459 432 437 423 424 414 -2 -10
Great Britain 4,631 4,721 4,913 5,162 5,269 5,210 5,188 5,215 5,121 5,206 5,163 -1 -1
Of which concessionary passengers
Scotland3,4 156 154 156 154 148 150 147 151 148 -2 -4
Great Britain5 1,644 1,741 1,775 1,780 1,808 1,770 1,778 1,767 -1 0
Percentage Concessionary passengers
Scotland 33% 32% 32% 34% 34% 34% 35% 36% 36%
Great Britain 32% 33% 34% 34% 35% 35% 34% 34%
Annual growth rates
Scotland -4% 1% 2% 3% -1% -5% -6% 1% -3% 0% -2%
Great Britain -1% 2% 4% 5% 2% -1% 0% 1% -2% 2% -1%
Concessionary passengers
Scotland -1% 1% -1% -4% 1% -2% 3% -2%
Great Britain 6% 2% 0% 2% -2% 0% -1%

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1 There is a break in the series in 2004/05 due to changes in the estimation methodology.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Estimated from DfT survey data; this will not be directly comparable with administrative data for Scotland.

Table 2.2b: Passenger journeys by region for local bus services1,2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
million passenger journeys
North East, Tayside and Central3 65 68 65 68 66 64 62 63 62 63 64 2 0
Highlands, Islands and Shetland4 12 11 15 14 14 14 14 13 14 13 12 -8 -14
South East5 159 162 174 174 170 162 162 166 162 165 164 -1 1
South West and Strathclyde6 223 225 223 232 234 219 193 195 184 183 174 -5 -21
Scotland 460 466 476 488 484 459 432 438 424 425 414 -3 -10

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1 Regional groupings have been dictated by commercial sensitivities around the disclosure of bus operators' financial information.
2 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.
3 Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City
4 Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Argyll & Bute
5 Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Edinburgh City, West Lothian
6 Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire

Table 2.3a: Vehicle kilometres on local bus services by type of service1,2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
million vehicle kilometres
Scotland3 359 374 385 397 386 376 346 338 327 331 331 0 -12
Commercial 300 308 307 315 311 302 279 278 263 266 267 0 -12
Subsidised 59 66 78 82 75 74 67 60 64 65 64 -2 -14
Subsidised % of total 16.4% 17.6% 20.3% 20.7% 19.4% 19.7% 19.4% 17.8% 19.6% 19.6% 19.3%
Annual growth rate 4% 3% 3% -3% -3% -8% -2% -3% 1% 0%
GB outwith London 2,141 2,161 2,165 2,185 2,177 2,142 2,110 2,072 2,047 2,041 2,022 -1 -6
Commercial 1,683 1,689 1,669 1,681 1,667 1,627 1,609 1,625 1,627 1,646 1,659 1 2
Subsidised 458 472 496 504 510 515 501 447 420 395 363 -8 -30
Subsidised % of total 21.4% 21.8% 22.9% 23.1% 23.4% 24.0% 23.7% 21.6% 20.5% 19.4% 18.0%
Great Britain 2,611 2,622 2,630 2,650 2,651 2,620 2,591 2,558 2,534 2,527 2,507 -1 -4

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. There is a break in the series in 2004/05 due to changes in the estimation methodology.
2. 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.
3. Commercial and subsidised totals may not match Scotland totals due to rounding.

Table 2.3b: Vehicle kilometres on local bus services per head of population1,2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
Population thousands
Scotland 5,078 5,095 5,117 5,144 5,169 5,194 5,222 5,255 5,314 5,328 5,348 0 3
Great Britain 58,132 58,511 58,843 59,227 59,263 60,003 60,462 61,426 61,881 62,276 62,756 1 5
Vehicle kilometres per head of population vehicle km per head
Scotland 70.7 73.4 75.2 77.2 74.7 72.4 66.3 64.3 61.5 62.1 61.9 0 -15
Great Britain 44.9 44.8 44.7 44.7 44.7 43.7 42.9 41.6 40.9 40.6 39.9 -2 -9
Ratio Scotland/GB 1.57 1.64 1.68 1.73 1.67 1.66 1.55 1.54 1.50 1.53 1.55 1 -7

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. There is a break in the series in 2004/05 due to changes in the estimation methodology.
2. 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.

Table 2.3c: Vehicle kilometres by region for local bus services1,2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
million vehicle kilometres
North East, Tayside & Central3 55 56 56 51 55 58 55 55 54 56 57 2 -1
Highlands, Islands & Shetland4 38 39 39 32 27 38 37 33 33 32 32 0 -16
South East5 103 109 111 117 118 106 104 102 101 104 103 -1 -2
South West & Strathclyde6 163 171 178 189 186 175 151 148 139 141 139 -1 -21
Scotland 359 374 384 389 386 377 346 338 327 330 331 0 -12

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. Regional groupings have been dictated by commercial sensitivities around the disclosure of bus operators' financial information.
2. 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.
3. Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City
4. Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Argyll & Bute
5. Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Edinburgh City, West Lothian
6. Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire

Table 2.4 Staff employed1, 2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
thousand
Platform staff 3 10.3 10.6 10.9 11.5 11.4 11.1 10.8 10.8 10.3 10.5 10.4 -1 -7
Maintenance and other staff 3
Maintenance 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 -3 -11
Other 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4 -8 19
Total 3.4 3.5 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.5 3.3 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.4 -5 -1
All staff 13.7 14.1 14.6 15.5 15.2 14.6 14.1 14.5 13.9 14.1 13.8 -2 -5
Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. Figures relate to the financial year end.
2. Figures for local operators only (including those doing some non-local work)
3. Staff are classified according to their main occupation as some may have more than one function.
4. Break in the series due to changes in the estimation methodology from 2004/05

Table 2.5 Local bus fare indices1 2005 = 100
% change over
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1 year 5 years
At current prices
Scotland 100.0 105.1 111.4 116.7 126.5 129.5 132.2 139.1 145.1 149.8 153.2 2 18
Great Britain 100.0 109.6 106.9 113.0 123.2 124.7 130.3 138.9 145.4 149.8 155.3 4 25
At constant prices 2
Scotland 100.0 102.7 103.8 104.8 114.0 111.8 108.3 110.1 111.2 112.0 113.5 1 2
Great Britain 100.0 107.0 99.7 101.5 111.0 107.6 106.8 109.8 111.4 112.0 115.1 3 7

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. Fares at March of each year
2. Adjusted for general inflation, using the Retail Prices Index.

Table 2.6: Operating costs per vehicle kilometre for local bus services1,2
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
At 2014-15 Prices (including depreciation) Pence per Vehicle Kilometre
Scotland 136 149 147 163 165 170 187 187 184 183 -1 11
GB outwith London3 158 172 175 182 185 183 189 191 192 193 0 4

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.
2. 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.
3. Buses in London operate under a different regulatory model to the rest of the country, and comparisons on an operating costs basis between London and the rest of the country would have little meaning. London figures are therefore excluded from this table.

Table 2.7: Operating costs per passenger journey for local bus services1,2
  2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
At 2013-14 Prices (including depreciation) Pence per passenger journey
Scotland 108 119 119 130 135 136 144 144 144 145 1 8
GB outwith London3 120 127 127 130 133 132 136 139 138 139 1 5

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.
2. 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.
3. Buses in London operate under a different regulatory model to the rest of the country, and comparisons on an operating costs basis between London and the rest of the country would have little meaning. London figures are therefore excluded from this table.

Table 2.8: Passenger revenue1 on local bus services2
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
Current prices £ Million
Passenger revenue
Scotland3 274 297 298 320 337 331 329 340 351 363 357 -2 8
Great Britain5 2,674 2,845 2,858 2,974 3,071 3,158 3,301 3,444 3,575 3,705 3,763 2 19
Government support4
Scotland 184 197 262 276 296 312 295 299 309 6 298 6 297 0 -5
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland 458 494 559 597 633 643 623 640 659 6 661 6 654 -1 2
2014-15 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.)
Passenger revenue
Scotland 347 364 355 370 380 365 352 358 363 369 357 -3 -2
Great Britain 3,379 3,492 3,407 3,447 3,468 3,484 3,536 3,633 3,703 3,759 3,763 0 8
Government support4
Scotland 233 242 312 320 334 344 315 316 320 6 302 6 297 -2 -14
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland 579 606 667 690 715 709 668 674 683 6 671 6 654 -2 -8

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. DfT have yet to publish this figure for 2012-13 due to delays in Department for Communities and Local Government publishing Government Support figures for 2012-13. This will be updated in the online version of these tables.
6. 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.

Table 2.9: Government support on local bus services by type of support1
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 % change over
1 year 5 years
Current Prices
£ Million
Local Authority bus support 2
Scotland 11 38 45 48 53 53 61 57 58 59 59 57 -3 -7
Great Britain 8 995 1,089 1,160 1,217 1,342 1,318 1,145 1,084 1,038 1,094 1,071 -2 -19
GB outwith London 8 439 493 543 555 617 626 581 565 538 538 484 -10 -23
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3 155 163 180 187 175 181 197 10 189 10 189 0 1
Scotland (all modes) 90 95 166 173 193 202 183 188 199 10 190 10 190 0 -6
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8 931 1,027 1,172 1,224 1,246 1,248 1,282 1,304 1,312 1 7
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8 769 851 991 1,041 1,055 1,038 1,062 1,070 1,073 0 3
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8 616 623 942 1,037 1,185 1,239 1,254 1,254 1,284 1,306 1,313 1 6
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8 478 472 780 861 1,004 1,056 1,063 1,045 1,064 1,072 1,074 0 2
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland 56 57 59 60 63 64 63 60 53 10 50 51 2 -20
Great Britain 12 419 435 441 472 504 515 505 512 415 348 .. .. ..
GB outwith London 12 328 340 344 369 391 403 397 401 327 306 302 -1 -25
All government support 9
Scotland (bus) 262 276 296 312 295 299 309 10 298 10 297 0 -5
Scotland (all modes) 184 197 273 286 309 327 303 306 311 10 299 10 298 0 -9
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12 2,531 2,716 3,017 3,056 2,896 2,843 2,739 2,735 2,685 .. ..
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12 1,655 1,775 1,998 2,069 2,033 2,004 1,929 1,907 1,917 1 -7
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12 2,030 2,147 2,542 2,725 3,030 3,071 2,904 2,851 2,730 2,743 2,686 .. ..
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12 1,245 1,305 1,667 1,784 2,011 2,084 2,041 2,011 1,920 1,915 1,860 -3 -11
2014-15 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator)
Local Authority bus support2
Scotland 48 55 57 62 60 68 61 61 61 60 57 -4 -15
Great Britain 8 1,257 1,337 1,382 1,411 1,515 1,454 1,227 1,143 1,075 1,109 1,071 -3 -26
GB outwith London 8 555 605 647 644 697 690 622 596 557 546 484 -11 -30
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3 .. .. 185 189 203 206 187 191 204 10 192 10 189 -1 -8
Scotland (all modes)4 114 117 198 201 218 223 196 198 206 10 193 10 190 -1 -15
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8 .. .. 1,110 1,191 1,324 1,350 1,335 1,316 1,328 1,322 1,312 -1 -3
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8 .. .. 917 987 1,119 1,148 1,130 1,095 1,100 1,085 1,073 -1 -7
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8 779 765 1,123 1,202 1,338 1,366 1,343 1,323 1,329 1,324 1,313 -1 -4
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8 604 580 930 998 1,134 1,165 1,139 1,102 1,102 1,087 1,074 -1 -8
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland 71 70 70 70 71 71 67 63 55 10 51 51 1 -28
Great Britain 12 529 534 526 547 569 568 541 540 429 353 .. .. ..
GB outwith London 12 414 418 411 428 442 445 425 423 339 311 302 -3 -32
All government support 9
Scotland (bus) .. .. 312 320 334 344 315 316 320 10 302 10 297 -2 -14
Scotland (all modes) 233 242 326 332 349 361 324 323 322 10 303 10 298 -2 -17
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12 .. .. 3,018 3,149 3,407 3,372 3,101 2,999 2,836 2,774 2,685 .. ..
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12 .. .. 1,973 2,058 2,256 2,283 2,177 2,114 1,997 1,934 1,917 -1 -16
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12 2,564 2,636 3,031 3,159 3,422 3,388 3,110 3,006 2,828 2,782 2,686 .. ..
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12 1,573 1,602 1,988 2,069 2,271 2,299 2,186 2,121 1,989 1,942 1,860 -4 -19

1. 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.
2. Total of all local authorities' gross costs incurred in support of bus services, either directly or by subsidies to operators or individuals.1.1532005-06
3. 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.1.1232006-07
4. Includes Local Authority spending.
5. 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.1.0952007-08
6. 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 concessionary1.0662008-09 fares figures only.
7. Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is a subsidy provided by Central Government to operatros of local bus services.1.0502009-10
8. 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.
9. Totals exclude 'non-revenue' funding, specifically the Scottish Green Bus Fund and the Bus Investment Fund.1.0002011-12
10. 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.
11. Local Authority Transport Undertakings - Buses was added to the LFR 03 return in 2008/09. Data is not available for previous years and the total expenditure for 2007/08 is not comparable with later years.
12. BSOG in London now forms part of their public support grant (from October 2013).

Table 2.10: Bus use the previous day (adults) by characteristic1
2004 2005 2006 2007 1,2 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
by gender: column percentages
Male 36 37 41 39 41 43 38 41 40 42 46
Female 65 63 59 61 59 57 62 59 60 58 54
by age:
16-19 10 11 10 10 13 9 13 11 13 12 10
20-29 16 19 20 24 20 23 18 21 20 20 22
30-39 12 14 16 15 9 15 13 14 14 12 14
40-49 13 12 11 12 13 12 14 12 13 12 14
50-59 14 11 13 11 14 13 12 12 13 14 11
60-69 15 16 14 14 13 13 14 13 16 13 14
70-79 15 13 12 9 13 10 13 11 10 11 11
80 and over 5 4 4 5 5 5 3 6 3 6 4
by current status:
Self employed 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1
Employed full time 31 32 29 34 34 34 29 34 29 28 32
Employed part time 10 10 12 10 10 11 10 10 15 14 12
Looking after the home or family 6 5 6 7 5 5 4 3 3 4 4
Permanently retired from work 31 28 27 24 27 24 27 26 25 26 23
Unemployed and seeking work 5 4 5 3 6 6 7 4 6 7 8
At school 2 2 3 3 2 2 4 2 5 2 4
In further/higher education 9 10 9 10 8 9 14 12 8 11 11
Gov't work or training scheme 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0
5 5 7 6 4 6 4 6 5 4 4
1 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 1
by journey purpose 2:
Commuting 26 28 28 29 28 29 28 27 30 28 24
Education 6 6 6 8 7 6 8 11 7 7 10
Shopping 30 28 26 29 29 26 28 21 25 25 29
Visit hospital or other health 6 3 5 4 5 4 4 3 4 2 3
On other personal business 6 6 9 6 5 8 4 7 4 6 5
Visiting friends or relatives 9 10 9 8 11 9 8 12 11 12 7
Sport/Entertainment 4 3 4 3 5 6 8 6 2 2 3
Go home 4 3 4 2 4 9 9
Other purpose 13 15 13 10 8 9 9 10 9 18 11
by annual net household income:
up to £10,000 p.a. 31 27 27 21 21 20 19 22 14 13 16
£10,000 - £15,000 25 25 25 24 24 24 22 23 23 25 21
£15,000 - £20,000 13 15 16 17 15 12 18 17 16 15 16
£20,000 - £25,000 12 10 8 14 12 10 13 13 14 12 11
£25,000 - £30,000 7 6 7 7 7 11 5 7 11 9 10
£30,000 - £40,000 7 10 10 9 11 12 8 8 10 13 9
over £40,000 p.a. 2 4 4 6 7 6 12 7 8 10 13
by urban/rural classification:
Large urban areas 61 58 59 60 62 61 58 62 61 61 57
Other urban 24 25 24 25 24 23 26 23 23 25 24
Small accessible towns 7 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 7 8
Small remote towns 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2
Accessible rural 6 6 7 7 5 7 8 7 6 4 7
Remote rural 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 2 2
by frequency of driving:
Every day 6 5 6 7 5 7 6 7 8 7 8
At least three times a week 5 6 5 6 7 5 5 5 7 5 6
Once or twice a week 5 3 4 4 6 5 6 6 5 4 5
Less often 4 4 4 6 4 5 4 5 3 4 6
Never, but holds full driving licence 7 7 8 9 7 10 7 9 10 9 8
Does not hold a full driving licence 73 75 73 68 70 69 72 67 67 72 67
by whether or not respondent has concessionary travel pass 3:
Yes 37 37 36 29 33 33 34 35 33 33 33
No 63 63 64 71 67 67 66 65 67 67 67
Sample size (=100%) 2,840 2,639 2,889 1,854 1,893 1,615 1,438 1,565 1,536 1,685 1632

Source: Scottish Household Survey
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Sample size in 2003 was 2,004 as this data was not collected in quarter 1; sample size in 2006 was 2,181 as a new concessionary scheme was introduced in April 2006.

TABLE 2.11: Users views on local bus services1,3,5
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014
Percentage agreeing with each statement
Buses run to timetable 2 71 73 73 73 73| 74 78
Buses are frequent 77 79 80 80 79
Service runs when I need it 71 74 75 74 74
Journey times are reasonable 85
Bus service is stable and not regulary changing 80 80 79 80 78 83
Buses are clean 72 75 75 75 80 78
Buses are comfortable 73 74 77 78
Buses are environmentally friendly 56 66
I feel personally safe and secure4 80 81
Feel safe/secure on bus during day4 91 91 94 93 94
Feel safe/secure on bus during the evening4 58 59 63 62 69
Simple deciding what ticket I need 87 87 86 88 89 89 89
Finding out about routes and times is easy 77 79 81 81 82 84 86
Easy to change from buses to other forms of transport 69 71 71 73 76 75 75
Bus fares are good value 63 58 57 59 59 55 60
Sample Size 2,697 2,846 2,902 2,833 2,984 4,068 4,070

Source: Scottish Household Survey
1. SHS data. Question asked of adults (16+), who have used the bus in the previous month
2. prior to 2012, question asked 'buses are on time'
3. Changes to the questionnaire have been made between years so some response options are removed and new ones added
4. The question about feeling safe and secure on the bus was split in 2009 to ask about during the day and in the evening.
5. This question is now asked every 2 years and will be updated next year in edition 34

Table 2.12: Possession of concessionary fare pass1 for all adults aged 16+
2005 2006** 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
cell percentages
All adults aged 16+ 26 27 28 25 26 27 27 27 26 27
All adults aged 60+ 81 84 82 84 87 87 87 88 86 87
Age band
16 - 39 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2
40 - 49 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 3
50 - 59 5 4 6 6 5 5 4 5
60 - 64 75 75 78 79 80 81 75 75
65 - 69 83 88 89 90 88 91 90 91
70 - 74 85 89 92 91 93 92 92 91
75 - 79 86 89 92 93 91 94 90 93
80 + 81 85 87 87 90 88 89 91

Source: Scottish Household Survey
1. 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"
** Figures for 2006 relate to the period from April to December, as new concessionary fare arrangements were introduced in April 2006

Table 2.13: Concessionary fare passes issued to older and disabled people, 2008-2015 1,2,3
2008 2 2009 1 2010 2011 2012 2013 4 2014 2015
Card type
60+ 952,177 957,852 1,018,941 1,049,490 1,074,616| 1,141,214 1,142,923 1,170,709
Disabled 59,606 55,737 59,470 60,866 61,660| 40,923 44,381 43,590
Disabled + companion 92,996 93,005 100,613 105,325 109,680| 83,937 96,253 106,078
Visually impaired 4,967 4,980 4,782 4,790 4,751| 3,964 4,092 4,041
Visually impaired + companion 11,943 11,272 11,269 11,373 11,554| 9,775 10,102 10,099
All cards 1,121,689 1,122,846 1,195,075 1,231,844 1,262,261| 1,279,813 1,297,751 1,334,517
Young persons scheme (16-18) 131,210 152,626 152,473

Source: Transport Scotland
1. As at October in each year, with the exception of 2009 where the figure is as at February
2. Figures for 2007 and 2008 should be interpreted with caution, due to possible double-counting in one Local Authority
3. 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
4. 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.

Table 2.14: Concessionary fare passes issued to older and disabled people. As at November 2015 1
Disabled Disabled + companion Visually impaired Visually impaired + companion 60+ All card holders
All Scotland
Aberdeen City 2,220 3,172 248 285 46,037 51,962
Aberdeenshire 1,373 2,220 192 340 54,773 58,898
Angus 850 1,372 87 158 30,214 32,681
Argyll and Bute 647 1,425 83 238 25,578 27,971
Clackmannanshire 443 801 25 65 11,072 12,406
Dumfries and Galloway 807 2,083 106 233 38,896 42,125
Dundee City 1,180 3,921 213 369 31,461 37,144
East Ayrshire 1,132 2,892 79 272 27,787 32,162
East Dunbartonshire 486 1,338 100 177 27,470 29,571
East Lothian 717 1,510 59 157 24,080 26,523
East Renfrewshire 426 1,217 65 128 21,174 23,010
Edinburgh 4,316 8,793 289 775 100,394 114,567
Eilean Siar 129 224 10 23 7,948 8,334
Falkirk 1,579 2,348 120 259 32,930 37,236
Fife 2,676 10,248 265 794 85,762 99,745
Glasgow 7,667 20,158 445 1,426 100,716 130,412
Highland 1,537 3,016 54 414 56,032 61,053
Inverclyde 794 2,650 98 226 18,729 22,497
Midlothian 685 1,751 37 158 19,414 22,045
Moray 574 988 77 140 21,415 23,194
North Ayrshire 1,169 3,225 157 397 34,821 39,769
North Lanarkshire 2,700 7,451 195 645 64,600 75,591
Orkney Islands 142 382 5 27 5,635 6,191
Perth and Kinross 764 1,784 192 263 37,313 40,316
Renfrewshire 1,515 3,775 166 427 38,667 44,550
Scottish Borders 807 1,211 81 180 30,027 32,306
Shetland Islands 116 358 4 21 5,570 6,069
South Ayrshire 942 2,449 96 247 31,268 35,002
South Lanarkshire 2,247 6,539 277 655 68,643 78,361
Stirling 613 1,174 72 134 18,614 20,607
West Dunbartonshire 984 2,439 61 222 19,398 23,104
West Lothian 1,353 3,164 83 244 34,271 39,115

Source: Transport Scotland
1. 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.