Chapter 2: Bus and Coach Travel

Chapter 2: 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, page 225.

Key points

• 393 million journeys were made by bus in 2016-17. 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 2017.
• The bus industry received £298 million in funding from Local or Central Government in 2016-17. Passenger revenue in 2016-17 stood at £396 million in Scotland.

2. Main Points

Vehicles & Passengers

2.1 Around 393 million passenger journeys were made by bus in Scotland in 2016-17. This is a decrease of 3 per cent on 2015-16 and a 19 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 3 per cent over the past five years, with the distance covered falling in six of the last eight years. 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 16 per cent over the past five years, and an 8 per cent fall in the number of staff employed in the industry over the same period. (Table 2.1a and 2.4)

2.4 Although Great Britain as a whole, has seen passenger journeys fall by 5% over the past five years the fall for Scotland has been 10%. Great Britain vehicle kilometres fell by 7% compared to a 3% fall for Scotland. (Table 2.3a)

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

2.6 Bus travel in the Southwest and Strathclyde and South East (corresponding to the Regional Transport Partnership areas of SPT, SWestrans (Dumfries and Galloway) and SEStran accounts 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 55 per cent of those who used the bus the previous day lived in large urban areas compared to one 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 56 per cent of respondents in large urban areas had used the bus in the last month compared to 19 per cent of those in remote rural areas. (Table 2.10)

Operator revenue

2.8 Bus operators in Scotland received £695 million in revenue in 2016-17, an increase of 4 per cent on the previous year and a 9 per cent increase over the last 5 years. Adjusting for the effects of inflation total passenger revenue was similar to 5 years ago. (Table 2.8)

2.9 Almost half (£298 million, 43%) of operator revenue came from Local or Central Government: through concessionary travel reimbursement, Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) or supported services. Passenger revenue (i.e. ticket sales to non-concessionary passengers) accounted for around 57 per cent of operators' revenue (£396 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 8 per cent lower than five years ago and overall passenger revenue is similar to 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. Passenger revenue over the last five years has not increased due to a 10 per cent decrease in passengers, although fares have increased by 5 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 5 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 18 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 15 per cent over the last five years. (Table 2.5)

Operator costs

2.12 Although operating costs for bus operators rose to a peak in 2011-12 they have since fallen in the past few years. Over the past five years operating costs per vehicle km have decreased by 5 per cent in real terms. Operating costs per journey have risen by 3 per cent from £1.49 per passenger journey to £1.53. Although these increases are higher than those seen in the rest of GB (excluding London), operating costs per vehicle km remain higher in GB (£1.84 in Scotland, compared to £2.00 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 (62%) and whether the fares were good value (61%).

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 70 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 under 150,000 young people were eligible to access the travel concessions available through their Young Scot card in 2017. 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 nine per cent of all adults (16+) had a concessionary fare pass under the Scheme in 2016, 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 (87%) 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, 75% 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 17%. 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 24 cases of action taken at public inquiry for non-compliance (under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981) in Scotland in 2015-16, five less than in 2014-15.

Figure 2.1 Vehicle stock by type of vehicle

Figure 2.2 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

Table 2.1a: Public Service Vehicle characteristics (Local Operators)1

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
										1 year	5 years
Number of buses used as Public Service Vehicles	thousands
Scotland	5.4	5.0	4.8	4.8	4.6	4.6	4.3	4.3	4.0	-6	-16
Great Britain	42.8	42.7	42.4	42.3	42.0	42.1	41.7	40.7	40.3	-1	-5
Average age of the bus fleet
Scotland	8.3	7.8	7.8	8.5	8.2	8.3	8.1	8.0	8.0	0	-6
Great Britain	7.8	7.6	7.8	7.8	7.7	7.8	7.8	7.6	7.6	0	-2
Percentage of buses with CCTV				%
Scotland 3	45.1	51.6	54.0	58.5	64.6	66.8	71.8	78.1	81.5	4	39
Great Britain	60.1	67.2	69.6	71.7	76.8	80.1	83.7	86.8	89.9	4	25
Percentage of bus fleet with automatic vehicle location (AVL) device				%
Scotland	44	45	57	76	81	90	86	86	94	9	23
Great Britain	52	56	66	73	86	91	93	94	96	2	31
Percentage of buses with live ITSO Smart-card readers			%
Scotland	…	…	86	89	89	89	92	84	91	8	2
Great Britain (outwith London)2	…	…	37	60	81	86	89	90	91	2	52

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

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
										1 year	5 years
Buses with accessibility certificate2
Number (thousands)	2.2	2.6	2.8	3.0	3.3	3.5	3.7	3.9	3.9	0	31
Percentage of all buses	41	51	59	62	71	76	87	92	97
Buses with low floor access3
Number (thousands)	1.6	1.4	1.1	1.1	0.7	0.6	0.3	0.2	0.0	-70	-95
Percentage of all buses	29	27	23	22	16	13	7	4	1
Total accessible or low-floor buses
Number (thousands)	3.8	3.9	3.9	4.0	4.0	4.1	4.0	4.1	3.9	-3	-2
Percentage of all buses	70	78	82	84	86	90	94	95	98

Source: DfT Bus Statistics
"1This 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 services^1,2

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
	million
Scotland	476	487	484	458	430	436	420	421	414	407	393	-3	-10
Great Britain	4,893	5,142	5,250	5,188	5,165	5,192	5,099	5,201	5,143	5,016	4,931	-2	-5
Of which concessionary passengers
Scotland3,4	156	154	155	153	147	149	146	149	146	143	142	-1	-5
Great Britain5	…	1,643	1,740	1,772	1,772	1,803	1,764	1,794	1,759	1,714	1,693	-1	-6
Percentage Concessionary passengers
Scotland	33%	32%	32%	33%	34%	34%	35%	35%	35%	35%	36%
Great Britain		32%	33%	34%	34%	35%	35%	35%	34%	34%	34%
Annual growth rates
Scotland	2%	2%	-1%	-5%	-6%	1%	-4%	0%	-2%	-2%	-3%
Great Britain	4%	5%	2%	-1%	0%	1%	-2%	2%	-1%	-2%	-2%
Concessionary passengers
Scotland		-1%	1%	-1%	-4%	2%	-2%	2%	-2%	-2%	-1%
Great Britain		…	6%	2%	0%	2%	-2%	2%	-2%	-3%	-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 services^1,2

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
	million passenger journeys
North East, Tayside and Central3	65	68	66	64	61	63	61	62	63	60	59	-2	-6
Highlands, Islands and Shetland4	15	14	14	14	14	13	14	13	12	14	13	-10	-3
South East5	174	174	170	162	162	166	162	164	164	164	160	-3	-4
South West and Strathclyde6	223	232	234	219	193	194	184	182	175	169	162	-4	-17
Scotland	476	487	484	458	430	436	420	421	414	407	393	-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

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
	million vehicle kilometres
Scotland3	384	397	386	377	346	338	327	332	328	331	327	-1	-3
Commercial	307	315	311	302	279	278	263	267	266	276	266	-3	-4
Subsidised	78	82	75	74	67	60	64	65	63	55	61	11	2
Subsidised % of total	20.2%	20.6%	19.3%	19.7%	19.3%	17.8%	19.6%	19.7%	19.1%	16.7%	18.7%
Annual growth rate	3%	3%	-3%	-2%	-8%	-2%	-3%	1%	-1%	1%	-1%
GB outwith London	2,165	2,185	2,177	2,141	2,110	2,072	2,043	2,036	2,005	1,963	1,930	-2	-7
Commercial	1,669	1,681	1,667	1,627	1,609	1,625	1,627	1,645	1,649	1,650	1,646	0	1
Subsidised	496	504	510	514	501	447	417	391	356	313	284	-9	-37
Subsidised % of total	22.9%	23.1%	23.4%	24.0%	23.7%	21.6%	20.4%	19.2%	17.7%	15.9%	14.7%
Great Britain	2,630	2,650	2,651	2,620	2,591	2,557	2,529	2,522	2,490	2,451	2,420	-1	-5

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

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
Population	thousands
Scotland	5,117	5,144	5,169	5,194	5,222	5,255	5,314	5,328	5,348	5,373	5,405	1	3
Great Britain	58,843	59,227	59,263	60,003	60,462	61,426	61,881	62,276	62,756	65,110	63,786	-2	4
Vehicle kilometres per head of population	vehicle km per head
Scotland	75.1	77.2	74.6	72.5	66.3	64.3	61.5	62.3	61.4	61.6	60.6	-2	-6
Great Britain	44.7	44.7	44.7	43.7	42.9	41.6	40.9	40.5	39.7	37.6	37.9	1	-9
Ratio Scotland/GB	1.68	1.72	1.67	1.66	1.55	1.55	1.51	1.54	1.55	1.64	1.60	-2	3

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 services^1,2

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
	million vehicle kilometres
North East, Tayside & Central3	56	51	55	58	55	55	54	56	57	57	56	-3	1
Highlands, Islands & Shetland4	39	32	27	38	37	33	33	32	32	34	30	-12	-10
South East5	111	117	118	106	104	102	101	104	100	103	103	0	1
South West & Strathclyde6	178	189	186	175	151	148	139	141	140	137	139	1	-6
Scotland	384	389	386	377	346	338	327	332	328	331	327	-1	-3

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 employed^{1, 2}

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
	thousand
Platform staff 3	10.8	11.5	11.4	11.1	10.7	10.6	10.1	10.4	10.5	10.4	10.0	-3	-6
Maintenance and other staff 3
Maintenance	2.2	2.4	2.2	2.4	2.2	2.3	2.2	2.2	2.1	2.2	1.8	-15	-19
Other	1.5	1.6	1.6	1.1	1.1	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.5	1.4	1.3	-3	-6
Total	3.7	4.0	3.8	3.5	3.3	3.7	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.2	-10	-14
All staff	14.5	15.5	15.2	14.6	14.0	14.3	13.8	14.0	14.0	13.9	13.2	-5	-8

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
5. Previously published figures have been revised.

Table 2.5  Local bus fare indices1

	2005 = 100
	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	% change over
												1 year	5 years
At current prices
Scotland	111.4	116.7	126.5	129.5	132.2	139.1	145.1	149.8	153.2	157.6	163.6	4	18
Great Britain	110.4	113.4	123.1	129.0	135.2	143.4	150.1	154.7	159.7	162.6	165.6	2	15
At constant prices 2
Scotland	103.8	104.8	114.0	111.8	108.3	110.1	111.2	112.0	113.5	115.0	115.7	1	5
Great Britain	102.9	101.8	111.0	111.3	110.8	113.4	115.0	115.7	118.3	118.7	117.1	-1	3

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 services^1,2

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
											1 year	5 years
At 2016-17 Prices (including depreciation)	Pence per Vehicle Kilometre
Scotland	148	164	168	174	193	192	189	189	183	184	1	-5
GB outwith London3	177	183	189	188	196	196	198	200	201	200	-1	2

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.
3Buses 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 services^1,2

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
											1 year	5 years
At 2016-17 Prices (including depreciation)	Pence per passenger journey
Scotland	121	131	138	140	149	149	148	149	148	153	3	3
GB outwith London3	129	132	137	137	142	144	143	144	146	143	-2	1

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.
3Buses 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

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
Current prices	£ Million
Passenger revenue
Scotland3	298	320	337	331	329	340	351	363	357	370	396	7	17
Great Britain5	2,858	2,974	3,071	3,158	3,301	3,444	3,575	3,705	3,763	3,737	3,691	-1	7
Government support4
Scotland	262	276	296	312	295	299	3116	2996	298	301	298	-1	0
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland	559	597	633	643	623	640	6616	662 6	655	671	695	4	9
2015-16 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.)
Passenger revenue
Scotland	356	373	383	371	362	368	373	379	367	378	396	5	8
Great Britain	3,415	3,467	3,489	3,537	3,631	3,735	3,798	3,870	3,874	3,822	3,691	-3	-1
Government support4
Scotland	313	322	336	349	324	324	3306	3126	307	308	298	-3	-8
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland	669	694	719	720	686	693	7026	6926	674	686	695	1	0

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.

HMT GDP deflator (Taken from HMT website on 14/12/2016)    83.699   85.777   88.008   89.287 90.918   92.228   94.144

Table 2.9: Government support on local bus services by type of support¹

	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	% change over
												1 year	5 years
Current Prices
	£ Million
Local Authority bus support 2
Scotland 11	48	53	53	61	57	58	59	59	57	59	52	-13	-11
Great Britain 8	1,160	1,217	1,342	1,318	1,145	1,084	1,038	1,094	1,071	1,069	1,119	5	3
GB outwith London 8	543	555	617	626	581	565	538	538	484	448	460	3	-19
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3	155	163	180	187	175	181	19910	19010	190	189	194	3	7
Scotland (all modes)	166	173	193	202	183	188	20410	19510	198	196	196	0	4
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8	931	1,027	1,172	1,224	1,246	1,248	1,282	1,304	1,313	1,309	1,297	-1	4
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8	769	851	991	1,041	1,055	1,038	1,062	1,070	1,074	1,071	1,062	-1	2
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8	942	1,037	1,185	1,239	1,254	1,254	1,284	1,306	1,321	1,316	1,299	-1	4
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8	780	861	1,004	1,056	1,063	1,045	1,064	1,072	1,082	1,078	1,064	-1	2
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland	59	60	63	64	63	60	5310	50	51	53	53	0	-12
Great Britain 12	441	472	504	515	505	512	415	348	..	..	..	..	..
GB outwith London 12	344	369	391	403	397	401	327	306	302	306	304	-1	-24
All government support 9
Scotland (bus)	262	276	296	312	295	299	31110	29910	298	301	298	-1	0
Scotland (all modes)	273	286	309	327	303	306	31610	30410	306	308	300	-2	-2
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12	2,531	2,716	3,017	3,056	2,896	2,843	2,739	2,735	2,686	2,685	2,720	1	..
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12	1,655	1,775	1,998	2,069	2,033	2,004	1,929	1,907	1,918	1,885	1,877	0	-6
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12	2,542	2,725	3,030	3,071	2,904	2,851	2,730	2,748	2,694	2,692	2,722	1	..
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12	1,667	1,784	2,011	2,084	2,041	2,011	1,920	1,920	1,868	1,832	1,828	0	-9
2015-16 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator)
Local Authority bus support2
Scotland	57	62	61	69	63	63	62	62	59	61	52	-15	-18
Great Britain 8	1,385	1,419	1,525	1,476	1,260	1,176	1,103	1,142	1,103	1,094	1,119	2	-5
GB outwith London 8	649	647	701	701	639	613	571	562	498	458	460	0	-25
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3	185	190	205	209	193	196	21110	19810	196	193	194	0	-1
Scotland (all modes)4	198	202	219	226	201	204	21710	20410	204	200	196	-2	-4
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8	1,112	1,197	1,332	1,371	1,371	1,353	1,362	1,362	1,352	1,338	1,297	-3	-4
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8	919	992	1,126	1,166	1,160	1,125	1,128	1,117	1,106	1,095	1,062	-3	-6
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8	1,125	1,209	1,346	1,387	1,379	1,360	1,364	1,364	1,360	1,345	1,299	-3	-5
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8	932	1,004	1,141	1,182	1,169	1,133	1,130	1,119	1,114	1,102	1,064	-3	-6
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland	71	70	72	72	69	65	5610	52	52	54	53	-2	-19
Great Britain 12	527	551	573	577	555	555	440	364	..	..	..	..	..
GB outwith London 12	411	431	445	452	437	435	348	320	311	313	304	-3	-30
All government support 9
Scotland (bus)	313	322	336	349	324	324	33010	31210	307	308	298	-3	-8
Scotland (all modes)	326	333	351	366	333	332	33510	31710	315	315	300	-5	-10
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12	3,024	3,167	3,428	3,423	3,185	3,083	2,909	2,856	2,765	2,745	2,720	-1	..
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12	1,977	2,069	2,270	2,317	2,236	2,173	2,049	1,991	1,974	1,927	1,877	-3	-14
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12	3,038	3,177	3,443	3,440	3,194	3,091	2,900	2,870	2,774	2,752	2,722	-1	..
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12	1,992	2,080	2,285	2,334	2,244	2,181	2,040	2,005	1,923	1,874	1,828	-2	-16

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.
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. Small revisions have been made to the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15
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.
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 concessionary fares figures only.
7 Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is a subsidy provided by Central Government to operators of local bus services. 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.
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

	2006	2007 1,2	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
by gender:	column percentages
Male	41	39	41	43	38	41	40	42	46	45	39
Female	59	61	59	57	62	59	60	58	54	55	61
by age:
16-19	10	10	13	9	13	11	13	12	10	11	9
20-29	20	24	20	23	18	21	20	20	22	21	19
30-39	16	15	9	15	13	14	14	12	14	13	12
40-49	11	12	13	12	14	12	13	12	14	13	11
50-59	13	11	14	13	12	12	13	14	11	14	13
60-69	14	14	13	13	14	13	16	13	14	14	18
70-79	12	9	13	10	13	11	10	11	11	11	12
80 and over	4	5	5	5	3	6	3	6	4	4	5
by current status:
Self employed	1	2	1	1	1	2	2	2	1	1	2
Employed full time	29	34	34	34	29	34	29	28	32	32	31
Employed part time	12	10	10	11	10	10	15	14	12	12	12
Looking after the home or family	6	7	5	5	4	3	3	4	4	5	5
Permanently retired from work	27	24	27	24	27	26	25	26	23	24	27
Unemployed and seeking work	5	3	6	6	7	4	6	7	8	6	4
At school	3	3	2	2	4	2	5	2	4	2	4
In further/higher education	9	10	8	9	14	12	8	11	11	13	8
Gov't work or training scheme	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0
Permanently sick or disabled	7	6	4	6	4	6	5	4	4	4	4
Unable to work because of short-term illness or injury	1	2	2	1	1	0	1	1	1	1.1	1
by journey purpose 2:
Commuting	28	29	28	29	28	27	30	28	24	24	30
Education	6	8	7	6	8	11	7	7	10	9	6
Shopping	26	29	29	26	28	21	25	25	29	30	27
Visit hospital or other health	5	4	5	4	4	3	4	2	3	2	4
On other personal business	9	6	5	8	4	7	4	6	5	4	4
Visiting friends or relatives	9	8	11	9	8	12	11	12	7	9	10
Sport/Entertainment	4	3	5	6	8	6	2	2	3	2	3
Go home	…	4	3	4	2	4	9	…	9		9
Other purpose	13	10	8	9	9	10	9	18	11	19	8
by annual net household income:
up to £10,000 p.a.	27	21	21	20	19	22	14	13	16	13	12
£10,000 - £15,000	25	24	24	24	22	23	23	25	21	18	21
£15,000 - £20,000	16	17	15	12	18	17	16	15	16	19	17
£20,000 - £25,000	8	14	12	10	13	13	14	12	11	13	14
£25,000 - £30,000	7	7	7	11	5	7	11	9	10	8	8
£30,000 - £40,000	10	9	11	12	8	8	10	13	9	11	12
over £40,000 p.a.	4	6	7	6	12	7	8	10	13	13	12
by urban/rural classification:
Large urban areas	59	60	62	61	58	62	61	61	57	56	55
Other urban	24	25	24	23	26	23	23	25	24	30	30
Small accessible towns	7	6	6	6	6	6	5	7	8	5	6
Small remote towns	2	1	2	2	1	2	2	1	2	1	1
Accessible rural	7	7	5	7	8	7	6	4	7	6	6
Remote rural	2	1	1	2	2	1	3	2	2	2	1
by frequency of driving:
Every day	6	7	5	7	6	7	8	7	8	7	8
At least three times a week	5	6	7	5	5	5	7	5	6	7	6
Once or twice a week	4	4	6	5	6	6	5	4	5	4	6
Less often	4	6	4	5	4	5	3	4	6	4	5
Never, but holds full driving licence	8	9	7	10	7	9	10	9	8	7	8
Does not hold a full driving licence	73	68	70	69	72	67	67	72	67	71	68
by whether or not respondent has concessionary travel pass 3:
Yes	36	29	33	33	34	35	33	33	33	33	40
No	64	71	67	67	66	65	67	67	67	67	60
Sample size (=100%)	2,889	1,854	1,893	1,615	1,438	1,565	1,536	1,685	1,632	1,690	1,480

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 services^1,3,5

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2014	2016
Percentage agreeing with each statement
Buses run to timetable 2	71	73	73	73	73	74	78	75
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	80
Buses are clean	72	75	75	75		80	78	79
Buses are comfortable	73	74	77	78
Buses are environmentally friendly						56	66	62
I feel personally safe and secure4	80	81
Feel safe/secure on bus during day4			91	91	94	93	94	93
Feel safe/secure on bus during the evening4			58	59	63	62	69	70
Simple deciding what ticket I need	87	87	86	88	89	89	89	88
Finding out about routes and times is easy	77	79	81	81	82	84	86	83
Easy to change from buses to other forms of transport	69	71	71	73	76	75	75	76
Bus fares are good value	63	58	57	59	59	55	60	61
Sample Size	2,697	2,846	2,902	2,833	2,984	4,068	4,070	3,910

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 has been updated this year.

Table 2.12: Possession of concessionary fare pass1 for all adults aged 16+

	2006**	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
	cell percentages
All adults aged 16+	27	28	25	26	27	27	27	26	27	28	29
All adults aged 60+	84	82	84	87	87	87	88	86	87	87	87
Age band
16 - 39		1	1	2	1	2	2	1	2	2	3
40 - 49		2	2	4	3	3	3	3	3	3	4
50 - 59		5	4	6	6	5	5	4	5	6	5
60 - 64		75	75	78	79	80	81	75	75	74	75
65 - 69		83	88	89	90	88	91	90	91	90	90
70 - 74		85	89	92	91	93	92	92	91	93	93
75 - 79		86	89	92	93	91	94	90	93	92	93
80 +		81	85	87	87	90	88	89	91	90	90

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, 2010-2017 ^1,2,3

	2010	2011	2012	2013 4	2014	2015	2016	2017
Card type
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
Disabled	59,470	60,866	61,660	43,979	44,381	43,590	41,348	39,384
Disabled + companion	100,613	105,325	109,680	93,619	96,253	106,078	111,486	118,217
Visually impaired	4,782	4,790	4,751	4,188	4,092	4,041	3,921	3,826
Visually impaired + companion	11,269	11,373	11,554	10,223	10,102	10,099	9,745	9,592
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
Young persons scheme (16-18)				131,210	152,626	152,473	151,767	149,790

Source: Transport Scotland
1As at October in each year, with the exception of 2009 where the figure is as at February
2Figures for 2007 and 2008 should be interpreted with caution, due to possible double-counting in one Local Authority
3This 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. Figures for Young Scot disability cards were mistakenly excluded from the figures for 2013. The figures have now been corrected.

Table 2.14: Concessionary fare passes issued to older and disabled people. As at November 2017 ¹

	Disabled	Disabled + companion	Visually impaired	Visually impaired + companion	60+	All card holders
All Scotland
Aberdeen City	2,128	3,587	262	255	42,322	6,232
Aberdeenshire	1,436	2,622	202	337	55,931	4,597
Angus	842	1,709	84	153	28,907	2,788
Argyll and Bute	547	1,557	69	218	24,979	2,391
Clackmannanshire	379	926	17	65	11,000	1,387
Dumfries and Galloway	118	234	11	18	7,804	3,432
Dundee City	683	2,441	93	215	37,748	6,358
East Ayrshire	1,100	4,733	174	351	31,064	4,575
East Dunbartonshire	952	3,300	74	249	26,924	2,157
East Lothian	458	1,455	89	155	27,406	2,544
East Renfrewshire	620	1,723	55	146	24,968	1,877
Edinburgh	408	1,269	65	135	21,203	14,975
Eilean Siar	4,200	9,823	263	689	100,253	381
Falkirk	1,342	2,733	95	252	32,173	4,422
Fife	2,288	10,716	291	717	86,640	14,012
Glasgow	6,733	22,171	416	1,337	96,518	30,657
Highland	1,428	3,506	52	404	56,583	5,390
Inverclyde	655	2,907	82	230	18,120	3,874
Midlothian	618	2,042	42	143	19,770	2,845
Moray	613	1,151	79	122	21,845	1,965
North Ayrshire	998	3,565	134	391	34,087	5,088
North Lanarkshire	2,294	8,155	184	640	63,350	11,273
Orkney Islands	135	504	4	36	5,890	679
Perth and Kinross	762	2,180	193	277	36,591	3,412
Renfrewshire	1,444	4,151	137	397	37,850	6,129
Scottish Borders	775	1,443	94	193	29,728	2,505
Shetland Islands	154	409	4	16	5,530	583
South Ayrshire	755	2,591	107	250	30,978	3,703
South Lanarkshire	1,953	7,007	247	609	68,058	9,816
Stirling	543	1,332	68	126	18,642	2,069
West Dunbartonshire	910	2,577	68	192	19,312	3,747
West Lothian	1,113	3,698	71	274	33,889	5,156

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.