Chapter 2: Bus and Coach Travel

Chapter 2: 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, page 225.

Key points

• 380 million journeys were made by bus in 2018-19.  Almost two fifths of these were made under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
• There were 1.4 million people with National Concessionary Travel cards in Scotland in 2019.
• The bus industry received £314 million in funding from local or central government in 2018-19. Passenger revenue in 2018-19 stood at £380 million in Scotland.

2. Main Points

Vehicles and Passengers

2.1 Around 380 million passenger journeys were made by bus in Scotland in 2018-19.  This is a decrease of 2.2 per cent on 2017-18 and a 22 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 Although vehicle kilometres have risen by 1 per cent over the past five years, the distance covered fell in six of the last ten years.    (Table 2.3a)

2.3 There is further evidence of contraction in the industry with the number of buses in operators’ fleets falling by 11 per cent over the past five years, and a 3 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 8% over the past five years the fall for Scotland has been 10%. Great Britain vehicle kilometres fell by  7% compared to a 1% rise 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 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 56 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 58 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 £694 million in revenue in 2018-19, an increase of 1 per cent on the previous year and a 5 per cent increase over the last 5 years.  Adjusting for the effects of inflation total passenger revenue was 3 per cent less than 5 years ago. (Table 2.8)

2.9 Almost half (£314 million, 45%) 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 55 per cent of operators’ revenue (£380 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 4 per cent lower than five years ago and overall passenger revenue is 3 percent less 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. Passenger revenue over the last five years has not increased due to a 10 per cent decrease in passengers, although fares have increased by 9 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 9 per cent in real terms (adjusting for the effects of inflation) over the past five years, while the increase for Great Britain was 6 per cent.  In current prices, i.e. viewing fare increases in the way that a consumer would, fares have risen by almost 17 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 14 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 8 per cent in real terms. Operating costs per journey over the same 5 year period have risen by 3 per cent from £1.57 per passenger journey to £1.61.  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 (£1.61 in Scotland, compared to £1.47 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. 147,000 young people were eligible to access the travel concessions available through their Young Scot card in 2019. 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 Eighty eight per cent of young people (16-18) had a concessionary fare pass under the Scheme in 2019, and 92 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, 77% 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 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.

Figure 2.1: Vehicle stock by type of vehicle

Figure 2.2: Passenger journeys (boardings) and vehicle-kilometres

Figure 2.3: Local bus fare indices

 

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

	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
											1 year	5 years
Number of buses used as Public Service Vehicles										thousands
Scotland	5.0	4.8	4.8	4.6	4.6	4.3	4.3	4.0	4.2	4.1	-2	-11
Great Britain	42.7	42.4	42.3	42.0	42.1	41.7	40.7	40.3	40.1	39.4	-2	-6
Average age of the bus fleet
Scotland	7.8	7.8	8.5	8.2	8.3	8.1	8.0	8.0	8.5	7.9	-6	-5
Great Britain	7.6	7.8	7.8	7.7	7.8	7.8	7.6	7.6	7.8	7.7	-1	-1
Percentage of buses with CCTV										%
Scotland 3	52	54	58	65	67	72	78	82	90	90	-1	34
Great Britain	67	70	72	77	80	84	87	90	91	92	1	15
Percentage of bus fleet with automatic vehicle location (AVL) device										%
Scotland	45	57	76	81	90	86	86	94	95	95	0	6
Great Britain	56	66	73	86	91	93	94	96	97	97	1	7
Percentage of buses with live ITSO smartcard readers										%
Scotland	…	86	89	89	89	92	84	91	89	93	4	5
Great Britain (outwith London)2	…	37	60	81	86	89	90	91	92	92	1	7
Percentage of buses with live EMV readers that can accept contactless payment cards 4										%
Scotland	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	4	42	61	46	..
Great Britain (outwith London)2	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	38	62	73	18	..

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.

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 mobile phone apps 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.

 

Table 2.1b: Number of disability accessible or low-floor buses used as Public Service Vehicles in Scotland (Local Operators)¹

	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
											1 year	5 years
Buses with accessibility certificate2
Number (thousands)	2.6	2.8	3.0	3.3	3.5	3.7	3.9	3.9	4.1	4.0	-1	16
Percentage of all buses	51	59	62	71	76	87	92	97	98	99
Buses with low floor access3
Number (thousands)	1.35	1.10	1.05	0.74	0.59	0.30	0.16	0.05	0.02	0.01	-23	-98
Percentage of all buses	27	23	22	16	13	7	4	1	0	0
Total accessible or low floor buses
Number (thousands)	3.9	3.9	4.0	4.0	4.1	4.0	4.1	3.9	4.1	4.0	-2	-2
Percentage of all buses	78	82	84	86	90	94	95	98	98	99

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 services^1,2

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
million
Scotland	487	484	458	430	436	420	421	414	407	393	388	380	-2	-10
Great Britain	5,143	5,250	5,188	5,164	5,191	5,099	5,201	5,142	5,016	4,930	4,836	4,800	-1	-8
Of which concessionary passengers
Scotland3,4	154	155	153	147	149	146	149	146	143	142	136	143	5	-4
Great Britain5	1,643	1,740	1,772	1,772	1,803	1,764	1,794	1,759	1,714	1,693	1,639	1,643	0	-8
Percentage Concessionary passengers
Scotland	32%	32%	33%	34%	34%	35%	35%	35%	35%	36%	35%	38%
Great Britain	32%	33%	34%	34%	35%	35%	35%	34%	34%	34%	34%	34%
Annual growth rates
Scotland	2%	-1%	-5%	-6%	1%	-4%	0%	-2%	-2%	-5%	-1%	-2%
Great Britain	5%	2%	-1%	0%	1%	-2%	2%	-1%	-2%	-4%	-2%	-1%
Concessionary passengers
Scotland	-1%	1%	-1%	-4%	2%	-2%	2%	-2%	-2%	-3%	-4%	5%
Great Britain	…	6%	2%	0%	2%	-2%	2%	-2%	-3%	-4%	-3%	0%

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

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
												million passenger journeys
North East, Tayside and Central3	68	66	64	61	63	61	62	63	59	58	55	53	-4	-14
Highlands, Islands and Shetland4	14	14	14	14	13	14	13	12	13	12	11	10	-5	-18
South East5	174	170	162	162	166	162	164	164	162	159	157	157	0	-4
South West and Strathclyde6	232	234	219	193	194	184	182	175	172	166	165	159	-3	-13
Scotland	487	484	458	430	436	420	421	414	407	394	388	380	-2	-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 service^1,2

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
												million vehicle kilometres
Scotland3	397	386	377	346	338	327	332	336	338	335	333	334	0	1
Commercial	315	311	302	279	278	263	266	266	275	266	264	273	3	3
Subsidised	82	75	74	67	60	64	65	70	63	70	69	60	-12	-7
Subsidised % of total	20.6%	19.3%	19.7%	19.3%	17.8%	19.7%	19.7%	21.0%	18.7%	20.8%	20.7%	18.1%
Annual growth rate	3%	-3%	-2%	-8%	-2%	-3%	1%	1%	1%	0%	-1%	0%
GB outwith London	2,185	2,176	2,141	2,109	2,072	2,043	2,035	2,013	1,971	1,937	1,871	1,859	-1	-9
Commercial	1,681	1,666	1,627	1,609	1,624	1,626	1,644	1,649	1,649	1,646	1,596	1,592	0	-3
Subsidised	504	510	514	501	447	417	391	364	321	291	274	267	-3	-32
Subsidised % of total	23.1%	23.4%	24.0%	23.7%	21.6%	20.4%	19.2%	18.1%	16.3%	15.0%	14.7%	14.4%
Great Britain	2,649	2,650	2,620	2,591	2,557	2,529	2,522	2,496	2,457	2,425	2,359	2,336	-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.

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

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
Population												thousands
Scotland	5,144	5,169	5,194	5,222	5,255	5,314	5,328	5,348	5,373	5,405	5,425	5,438	0	2
Great Britain	59,227	59,263	60,003	60,462	61,426	61,881	62,276	62,756	65,110	63,786	64,169	64,554	1	4
Vehicle kilometres per head of population												vehicle km per head
Scotland	77.2	74.6	72.5	66.3	64.3	61.5	62.3	62.9	63.0	62.0	61.4	61.3	0	-1
Great Britain	44.7	44.7	43.7	42.8	41.6	40.9	40.5	39.8	37.7	38.0	36.8	36.2	-2	-11
Ratio Scotland/GB	1.73	1.67	1.66	1.55	1.55	1.51	1.54	1.58	1.67	1.63	1.67	1.70	2	10

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

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
												million vehicle kilometres
North East, Tayside & Central3	51	55	58	55	55	54	56	57	56	54	56	52	-7	-6
Highlands, Islands & Shetland4	32	27	38	37	33	33	32	40	39	35	32	35	7	8
South East5	117	118	106	104	102	101	103	100	99	99	101	105	4	2
South West & Strathclyde6	189	186	175	151	148	139	141	140	145	146	143	142	-1	1
Scotland	389	386	377	346	338	327	332	336	338	335	333	334	0	1

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}

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
												1 year	5 years
											thousand
Platform staff 3	11.4	11.1	10.7	10.6	10.1	10.4	10.5	10.4	10.0	10.3	10.5	2	1
Maintenance and other staff 3
Maintenance	2.2	2.4	2.2	2.3	2.2	2.2	2.1	2.2	1.8	1.9	1.8	-2	-16
Other	1.6	1.1	1.1	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	0	-7
Total	3.8	3.5	3.3	3.7	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.2	3.2	3.2	-1	-13
All staff	15.2	14.6	14.0	14.3	13.8	14.0	14.0	13.9	13.2	13.5	13.7	1	-3

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
												% change over
	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	1 year	5 years
At current prices
Scotland	126.5	129.5	132.2	139.1	145.1	149.8	153.2	157.6	163.6	171.9	175.5	2	17
Great Britain	123.1	129.0	135.2	143.4	150.1	154.7	159.7	162.6	165.6	171.0	176.3	3	14
At constant prices 2
Scotland	114.4	113.3	111.1	113.0	114.7	116.5	119.2	122.0	123.8	126.9	127.2	0	9
Great Britain	111.3	112.8	113.6	116.5	118.6	120.3	124.2	125.9	125.3	126.3	127.8	1	6

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

	2004-05	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
At 2017-18 Prices (including depreciation)														Pence per Vehicle Kilometre
Scotland	154	175	179	185	205	204	200	195	188	190	186	183	-1	-8
GB outwith London3	165	192	197	197	205	205	206	207	208	207	207	205	-1	-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.

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 services^1,2

	2004-05	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
													1 year	5 years
At 2017-18 Prices (including depreciation)														Pence per passenger journey
Scotland	119	140	147	149	158	158	157	157	156	162	159	161	1	3
GB outwith London3	126	138	143	143	148	151	150	150	151	149	149	147	-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.

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

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13		2013-14		2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	% change over
														1 year	5 years
Current prices													£ Million
Passenger revenue
Scotland 3, 6	336	330	328	336	350		361		356	378	396	386	380	-1	5
Great Britain 6	3,069	3,156	3,299	3,439	3,575		3,701		3,744	3,747	3,688	3,691	3,735	1	1
Government support4
Scotland	296	312	295	299	312	5	300	5	299	302	300	302	314	4	5
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland	632	642	622	640	662	5	661	5	655	680	696	688	694	1	5
2017-18 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator.)
Passenger revenue
Scotland	398	385	376	380	388		391		380	401	411	393	380	-3	-3
Great Britain	3,636	3,678	3,780	3,881	3,953		4,014		4,005	3,974	3,821	3,761	3,735	-1	-7
Government support4
Scotland	351	364	337	338	345	5	325	5	320	321	310	308	314	2	-4
Total passenger revenue4
Scotland	749	749	713	717	732	5	717	5	700	722	721	701	694	-1	-3

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. 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.

6. Figures for previous years have been revised.

 

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

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13		2013-14		2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19		% change over
															1 year	5 years
Current Prices													£ Million
Local Authority bus support 2
Scotland 11	54	62	58	59	60		60		58	60	53	56	57		2	-5
Great Britain 8	1,342	1,318	1,145	1,084	1,038		1,094		1,072	1,071	1,120	1,133	1,058		-7	-3
GB outwith London 8	617	626	581	565	538		538		485	449	461	450	476		6	-12
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3	180	187	175	181	199	10	190	10	190	189	194	195	202		4	6
Scotland (all modes)	193	202	183	188	204	10	195	10	198	196	196	197	205		4	5
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8	1,172	1,224	1,246	1,248	1,282		1,304		1,313	1,309	1,297	1,259	1,253		0	-4
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8	991	1,041	1,055	1,038	1,062		1,070		1,074	1,071	1,068	1,040	1,035		-1	-3
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8	1,185	1,239	1,254	1,254	1,284		1,306		1,321	1,316	1,299	1,261	1,256		0	-4
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8	1,004	1,056	1,063	1,045	1,064		1,072		1,082	1,078	1,070	1,042	1,038		0	-3
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland	63	64	63	60	53	10	50		51	53	53	51	55	13	8	10
Great Britain 12	504	515	505	512	415		348		..	..	..	..	..		..	..
GB outwith London 12	391	403	397	401	327		306		302	306	304	300	303		1	-1
All government support 9
Scotland (bus)	296	312	295	299	312	10	300	10	299	302	300	302	314		4	5
Scotland (all modes)	309	327	303	306	317	10	305	10	307	309	302	304	317		4	4
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12	3,017	3,056	2,896	2,843	2,739		2,735		2,687	2,686	2,721	2,692	2,614		-3	-4
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12	1,998	2,069	2,033	2,004	1,929		1,907		1,919	1,887	1,885	1,846	1,870		1	-2
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12	3,030	3,071	2,904	2,851	2,730		2,749		2,695	2,693	2,723	2,694	2,617		-3	-5
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12	2,011	2,084	2,041	2,011	1,920		1,921		1,869	1,833	1,835	1,793	1,816		1	-5
2017-18 Prices (Adjusted for general inflation using the GDP market price deflator)
Local Authority bus support2
Scotland	64	73	67	67	66		65		62	64	55	57	57		0	-13
Great Britain 8	1,589	1,536	1,312	1,224	1,148		1,186		1,147	1,136	1,160	1,154	1,058		-8	-11
GB outwith London 8	731	729	665	638	594		584		519	477	477	458	476		4	-19
Concessionary fares
Scotland (bus)3	213	218	201	204	220	10	206	10	203	201	201	199	202		2	-2
Scotland (all modes)4	229	235	210	212	226	10	212	10	212	208	203	201	205		2	-3
Great Britain (bus)5,6,8	1,388	1,426	1,428	1,408	1,418		1,414		1,405	1,388	1,344	1,283	1,253		-2	-11
GB outwith London (bus)5,6,8	1,174	1,213	1,209	1,171	1,174		1,160		1,149	1,136	1,106	1,060	1,035		-2	-11
Great Britain (all modes)5,6,8	1,404	1,443	1,437	1,416	1,419		1,416		1,414	1,396	1,346	1,285	1,256		-2	-11
GB outwith London (all modes)5,6,8	1,189	1,230	1,218	1,179	1,176		1,162		1,158	1,143	1,108	1,062	1,038		-2	-11
Bus Service Operators Grant7
Scotland	75	75	72	68	59	10	54		55	56	55	52	55		6	1
Great Britain 12	597	600	578	578	458		378		..	..	..	..	..		..	..
GB outwith London 12	463	470	455	453	362		332		323	325	315	306	303		-1	-9
All government support 9
Scotland (bus)	351	364	337	338	345	10	325	10	320	321	310	308	314		2	-4
Scotland (all modes)	366	381	347	346	350	10	331	10	329	328	313	310	317		2	-4
Great Britain (bus)6,8,12	3,574	3,562	3,318	3,209	3,028		2,967		2,875	2,849	2,820	2,743	2,614		-5	..
GB outwith London (bus)6,8,12	2,367	2,411	2,329	2,262	2,132		2,068		2,053	2,001	1,954	1,881	1,870		-1	-10
Great Britain (all modes)6,8,12	3,590	3,579	3,327	3,217	3,019		2,982		2,883	2,856	2,822	2,745	2,617		-5	..
GB outwith London (all modes)6,8,12	2,383	2,429	2,338	2,270	2,123		2,084		2,000	1,945	1,901	1,827	1,816		-1	-13

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.

To ensure comparability, historic figures have been revised to ensure they are presented on a consistent basis.

¹² BSOG in London now forms part of their public support grant (from October 2013).

¹³ 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.

Table 2.10: Bus use the previous day (adults) by characteristic¹

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
by gender:											column percentages
Male	41	44	40	41	41	43	47	45	40	41	42
Female	59	56	60	59	59	57	53	55	60	59	58
by age:
16-19	14	11	15	13	14	14	12	12	12	13	11
20-29	20	23	17	20	19	20	21	21	18	21	17
30-39	9	15	12	14	13	12	15	13	12	11	15
40-49	12	12	14	12	12	12	13	13	11	12	12
50-59	14	12	11	12	12	13	11	13	12	13	12
60-69	12	12	14	12	15	13	13	13	18	14	16
70-79	13	10	13	11	10	11	10	11	12	13	12
80 and over	5	5	3	5	3	5	4	4	5	4	6
by current status:
Self employed	1	1	1	2	2	2	0	1	2	1	2
Employed full time	34	33	27	34	28	29	31	32	30	30	33
Employed part time	10	10	10	11	14	13	12	12	11	10	11
Looking after the home or family	4	5	4	3	4	4	4	5	5	5	3
Permanently retired from work	26	24	27	24	25	25	23	23	26	25	27
Unemployed and seeking work	6	6	7	4	5	7	7	6	4	7	5
At school	4	3	6	4	7	4	5	3	7	6	3
In further/higher education	8	10	13	11	8	11	11	13	8	12	10
Government work or training scheme	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1
Permanently sick or disabled	4	5	4	6	5	4	4	4	4	4	5
Unable to work because of short-term illness or injury	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	0	0
by journey purpose 2:
Commuting	28	29	27	28	29	28	25	24	29	29	28
Education	8	8	10	13	8	9	11	10	10	11	8
Shopping	28	25	28	21	25	24	28	29	26	29	30
Visit hospital or other health	5	4	4	3	4	2	3	2	4	2	3
On other personal business	5	8	4	7	4	6	4	4	3	2	6
Visiting friends or relatives	10	9	8	11	10	11	7	9	9	9	6
Sport/entertainment	5	7	8	8	4	4	4	5	4	4	4
Go home	3	4	2	4	9	9	8	9	8	7	7
Other purpose	8	7	9	7	7	7	9	7	6	6	7
by annual net household income:
up to £10,000 p.a.	21	21	20	22	15	13	16	14	12	12	12
£10,000 - £15,000	24	24	23	23	23	25	21	19	21	24	20
£15,000 - £20,000	16	13	18	18	17	16	17	20	18	15	21
£20,000 - £25,000	12	10	13	13	14	13	12	13	14	13	13
£25,000 - £30,000	7	11	6	7	12	9	10	9	9	11	7
£30,000 - £40,000	12	13	9	9	10	14	10	12	13	12	12
over £40,000 p.a.	8	7	12	8	9	11	14	14	13	14	15
by urban/rural classification:
Large urban areas	61	61	57	60	59	60	56	54	53	54	56
Other urban	24	23	26	23	24	25	24	31	31	29	27
Small accessible towns	7	6	6	6	5	7	8	5	6	8	5
Small remote towns	1	1	1	2	3	1	2	1	1	1	2
Accessible rural	5	7	8	7	6	5	7	7	7	5	9
Remote rural	2	2	2	3	3	2	3	2	2	3	2
by frequency of driving:
Every day	5	7	6	7	8	7	7	6	7	6	6
At least three times a week	7	5	5	6	7	5	6	7	7	6	7
Once or twice a week	6	5	5	7	5	5	6	4	6	4	4
Less often	4	5	4	5	2	4	6	4	5	4	4
Never, but holds full driving licence	7	10	7	9	10	9	9	7	8	9	10
Does not hold a full driving licence	70	69	73	67	67	70	66	71	67	72	68
by whether or not respondent has concessionary travel pass 3:
Yes	32	33	33	33	33	31	32	32	38	34	...
No	68	67	67	67	67	69	68	68	62	66	...
Sample size (=100%)	1,930	1,640	1,440	1,580	1,540	1,720	1,650	1,730	1,470	1,470	1,520

Source: Scottish Household Survey

* 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. 

1.  The concessionary travel pass question was not asked in 2018, but wil be asked again in 2019 and alternate years.

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

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 was last asked in 2016. It will be asked again in alternate years from 2019.      

Table 2.12: Possession of concessionary fare pass¹ for all adults aged 16+ ²

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
											cell percentages
All adults aged 16+	28	25	26	27	27	27	26	27	28	29	28
All adults aged 60+	82	84	87	87	87	88	86	87	87	87	87
Age band
16 - 39	1	1	2	1	2	2	1	2	2	3	1
40 - 49	2	2	4	3	3	3	3	3	3	4	3
50 - 59	5	4	6	6	5	5	4	5	6	5	5
60 - 64	75	75	78	79	80	81	75	75	74	75	74
65 - 69	83	88	89	90	88	91	90	91	90	90	89
70 - 74	85	89	92	91	93	92	92	91	93	93	91
75 - 79	86	89	92	93	91	94	90	93	92	93	93
80 +	81	85	87	87	90	88	89	91	90	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. 

2. This question was not asked in 2018. It will be asked again in 2019.

 

Table 2.13: Concessionary fare passes issued to older and disabled people, 2012-2019 ^1,2,3

	2012	2013 4	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Card type
60+	1,074,616	1,141,214	1,142,923	1,170,709	1,146,751	1,156,063	1,203,751	1,256,531
Disabled	61,660	43,979	44,381	43,590	41,348	39,384	37,228	37,268
Disabled + companion	109,680	93,619	96,253	106,078	111,486	118,217	123,786	129,308
Visually impaired	4,751	4,188	4,092	4,041	3,921	3,826	3,787	3,852
Visually impaired + companion	11,554	10,223	10,102	10,099	9,745	9,592	9,546	9,658
All cards	1,262,261	1,293,223	1,297,751	1,334,517	1,313,251	1,327,082	1,378,098	1,436,617
Young persons scheme (16-18)		131,210	152,626	152,473	151,767	149,790	147,410	147,326

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. 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 2019 ¹

	Disabled	Disabled + companion	Visually impaired	Visually impaired + companion	60+	All card holders
All Scotland
Aberdeen City	2,026	4,039	254	259	45,556	52,134
Aberdeenshire	1,461	2,955	236	348	59,725	64,725
Angus	892	2,003	83	144	31,141	34,263
Argyll and Bute	488	1,672	56	186	27,644	30,046
Clackmannanshire	342	1,021	22	68	11,594	13,047
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar	104	272	10	21	8,115	8,522
Dumfries and Galloway	742	2,755	92	220	41,092	44,901
Dundee City	1,162	5,256	146	334	32,591	39,489
East Ayrshire	915	3,615	75	256	28,538	33,399
East Dunbartonshire	472	1,530	72	156	30,029	32,259
East Lothian	789	1,782	60	145	26,928	29,704
East Renfrewshire	397	1,366	67	135	23,220	25,185
Edinburgh	4,559	10,929	249	662	111,176	127,575
Falkirk	1,112	3,352	106	245	34,588	39,403
Fife	2,175	11,314	355	721	91,574	106,139
Glasgow	6,228	23,973	366	1,331	107,898	139,796
Highland	1,289	3,955	57	400	60,742	66,443
Inverclyde	488	3,135	72	243	19,907	23,845
Midlothian	585	2,308	37	141	21,624	24,695
Moray	544	1,376	83	140	23,391	25,534
North Ayrshire	837	3,869	134	408	37,475	42,723
North Lanarkshire	2,068	8,558	175	656	69,617	81,074
Orkney Islands	108	563	3	33	6,177	6,884
Perth and Kinross	699	2,589	192	296	39,210	42,986
Renfrewshire	1,290	4,525	141	400	41,696	48,052
Scottish Borders	763	1,590	108	182	31,535	34,178
Shetland Islands	166	526	6	21	5,839	6,558
South Ayrshire	683	2,772	102	261	33,845	37,663
South Lanarkshire	1,696	7,397	288	678	75,455	85,514
Stirling	495	1,444	74	118	20,223	22,354
West Dunbartonshire	773	2,772	68	175	21,431	25,219
West Lothian	920	4,095	63	275	36,955	42,308

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.