5 Public transport, aviation and ferries

This section contains analysis and headline findings from the Scottish Household Survey questions on public transport (including the Travel Diary part of the survey), as well as comparisons with data from a range of administrative data sources.

5.1 Satisfaction with public transport

Seventy one per cent of people are very or fairly satisfied with public transport, a similar proportion to 2012 (72 per cent). The proportion of people that are very satisfied has increased from 21 per cent to 24 per cent. [Table 4]

5.2 Local bus services

There were 423 million bus journeys made in Scotland in 2012. [Table SUM2]
Thirty per cent of adults used the bus at least once a week. Fifty-five per cent had not used it in the past month. [Table 28]
Women use buses more frequently than men (34% of women use the bus at least once a week compared to 27 per cent of men). [Table 28]
Bus use is highest amongst younger people (only 30% of 16-19 year olds had not used the bus in the last month, compared to two thirds of those aged 40-59). [Table 28]
Bus use is higher in urban areas (33% of people in large urban areas use the bus at least once a week compared to 9% in remote rural areas). [Table 28]
People were satisfied with most aspects of bus services that the survey asks about. Agreement rates were highest for feeling safe and secure during the day (93%), simple deciding the ticket needed (89%) and ease of finding routes and times (80%). Lowest levels of agreement were for good value fares (55%) and buses are environmentally friendly (56%). [Table 29]
When asked what discourages them from using the bus more, 20 per cent of respondents said they used their own car, 19 per cent said they had no need to use the bus more and 14 per cent said nothing. Reasons around service provision ('Takes too long', 'lack of service' and 'no direct route') were all cited by just over 10 per cent of respondents. [Table 41]
Detailed bus statistics can be found in the Bus and Coach Chapter of Scottish Transport Statistics.

5.3 Concessionary travel

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme 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.

There were 148 million concessionary travel journeys in 2012, accounting for 35 per cent of all bus journeys. [Table 2.2a Scottish Transport Statistics]
Eighty-six per cent of adults aged 60+ hold a National Concessionary Travel pass. A similar figure to previous years. Twenty six per cent of adults aged 17+ hold a pass. [Table 5]
Of those aged 60+, 37 per cent have a card and use it at least once a week (11% use it every day or almost every day). Thirty one per cent have a pass but hadn't used it in the last month. [Table 32]
Those living in urban areas use their pass more frequently than those living in rural areas. Women use their pass more frequently than men (42% of women have a pass and use it at least once a week, compared to 33% of men aged 60+). [Table 32]
Statistics on concessionary journeys, and card holder numbers from the National Concessionary Travel administrative systems, are included in the Bus and Coach chapter of Scottish Transport Statistics.

5.4 Rail travel

There were 86.3 million passengers carried by ScotRail in 2013, an increase of 4 per cent from 83.3 million in 2012, and an increase of 13 per cent over the last five years. [Table SUM1]
Eight per cent of the population (16+) use the train at least once a week. Almost three quarters (72%) had not used the train in the last month, a reduction from 83 per cent in 2003. [Table 28 and Table SUM1]
The proportion of people who haven't used the train in the last month increases with age (57% of those aged 16-19 hadn't used the train in the last month, compared to 93% of those aged 80+). [Table 28]
Train use is higher in higher income households (81% of those interviewed with a household income of less than £15,000 had not used the train in the last month, compared to 58% for those in households with an income of over £40,000. [Table 28]
Of those who had used the train in the last month, a third (34%) had used it for a shopping trip. A quarter (25%) had use the train to visit friends / relatives. Twelve per cent had used the train in the course of work and 11 per cent had used it for commuting in 2013. [Table 44]
People were satisfied with most aspects of rail services that the survey asks about. The level of agreement was highest for personal safety (97%), running to timetable (92%) and ease of finding out about routes and times (91%). The lowest level of agreement was with the statement that train fares are good value (51%). [Table 30]
When asked what discourages them from using the train more, the main reason given, other than nothing (56%) was cost (17%) with the next largest proportion being 'no nearby station' (5%). [Table 42]
Detailed rail statistics can be found in the Rail Chapter of Scottish Transport Statistics.

5.5 Aviation

Air terminal passengers increased by 5 per cent between 2012 and 2013, from 22.21 million to 23.25 million. [Table SUM2]
In 2013, 47 per cent of people had flown for leisure purposes in the previous 12 months and 8 per cent had flown for business. [Table 37a and 38a]
Of those who flew for leisure in the last 12 months, half made two flights (returns count as two, as does changing flights). Ninety two per cent flew eight times or less. [Table 37b]
Most people who fly for leisure fly to Europe. Of those who flew for leisure in the last 12 months, 74 per cent made at least one flight to Europe in the previous year. Six per cent made at least one flight within Scotland, 30 per cent made at least one flight to the rest of the UK and 30 per cent made at least one flight out of Europe. [Table 37b]
Of those who flew for business in the last 12 months, half made six flights or less but one in five made more than 20 flights (returns count as two, as does changing flights). [Table 38b]
Most people who fly for business fly within the UK. Of those who flew for business in the last 12 months, 72 per cent had flown to the rest of the UK. Fifteen per cent had flown within Scotland, 36 per cent had flown to Europe and 19 per cent had flown outside of Europe. [Table 38b]
The majority of people flying within the UK do so because it is quicker than alternative modes (80%). Just under a quarter (23%) do so because it is cheaper, though this proportion has fallen from 28 per cent in 2012. [Table 39]
Detailed aviation statistics can be found in the aviation Chapter of Scottish Transport Statistics.

5.6 Ferries

There were 7.83 million ferry passengers carried on routes within Scotland in 2013, a reduction of one per cent from 7.89 million in 2012. [Table SUM2]
Less than five per cent of respondents had used the ferry in the last month. Four per cent use a ferry once a fortnight or once a month and less than one per cent use it more frequently. [Table 40a]
Half (52%) of people who had used a ferry had done so for a holiday or day trip. Twenty seven per cent had used a ferry to visit friends or relatives. Ten per cent had used a ferry for a shopping trip and 9 per cent had used a ferry in the course of business. [Table 40b]
Two thirds of people chose to use the ferry because there was no feasible alternative. Eleven per cent said they chose the ferry as they could take their own vehicle. Nine per cent chose the ferry because it was quicker and a similar proportion said it was cheaper. [Table 40c]
Detailed ferry statistics can be found in the Water Transport Chapter of Scottish Transport Statistics.

5.7 Changing between public transport modes

Thirty per cent of journeys where rail was the main mode of transport had two or more stages. Seven per cent had three or more. [Table TD2c]
Four per cent of journeys where service bus was the main mode of transport had two or more stages. [Table TD2c]
Most users (84%) reported no difficulties changing between modes of public transport. Seven per cent reported that they had to wait too long, where-as four per cent reported not having enough time to change modes. A lack of information was reported by 3 per cent of users. [Table 45]