Bus travel in England drops to lowest in 10 years at 4.45 billion journeys
Bus travel in England has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, down to 4.45 billion passenger journeys, new figures show.
The Local Government Association voiced concern that the decline could lead to more road congestion and poorer air quality in local communities, and called for more funding from central government.
The fall of 1.7% means there were 75 million fewer journeys in the year to March, while outside London the figure was 1.1%, said the LGA.
Martin Tett, the LGA's transport spokesman, said it was "hugely concerning" to see such a steady decrease in bus journeys.
He added: "Buses provide a vital service for our communities and a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends.
"Councils know how important buses are for their residents and local economies and are desperate to protect them.
"It's nearly impossible for councils to keep subsidising free travel while having to find billions of pounds worth of savings and protect other vital services like caring for the elderly, filling potholes and collecting bins.
"Faced with significant funding pressures, many across the country are being forced into taking difficult decisions to scale back services and review subsidised routes.
"The way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall has not kept up with growing demand and cost."
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "This report comes as no surprise when we consider that since 2010, bus fares have increased by 9.2% over the rate of inflation while at the same time bus funding has been cut by a third and in the last year alone 500 bus routes were reduced or completely withdrawn.
"Until our bus services are treated like a public service and taken into public ownership we will continue to see a fall in bus use and the increasing isolation of those who are consigned to the misery of transport poverty."
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Buses are vital for communities, connecting people, homes and businesses, and we have given councils extra powers to work in partnership with bus companies to improve the service passengers expect and deserve.
"To encourage bus use and improve journeys for passengers we provide around £250 million to support bus services every year, benefiting people up and down the country, and nearly 10 million older and disabled people in England get free off-peak bus travel.
"We are also giving power back to communities through the Bus Services Act, which means people are able to shape the services they want to see in the areas they live."
