Scottish bus passenger numbers down 10 per cent over five years

Bus passenger numbers have fallen by 10 per cent over the last five years, new figures show.Official statistics from Transport Scotland show passenger numbers for 2016-17 were down 3 per cent year-on-year, with the bus being the only mode of transport to have experienced a drop in usage since 2011-12.

Pollution levels mean that Edinburghs Princes Street  like many places in Scotland  isnt a great environment for cyclists. Picture: Jon Savage

In contrast, over the last five years, car traffic rose 5 per cent and bikes increased 15 per cent while ScotRail passengers rose by 16 per cent, air passengers by 22 per cent and ferry passengers by 5 per cent. Over the same period bus fleet sizes have fallen by 16 per cent, while fares have increased by 5 per cent in real terms.

However, three-quarters of all public transport journeys were still made by bus in 2016-17.

In total, 524 million public transport journeys were made during the year.

Meanwhile, car traffic is estimated to have increased by 2 per cent to 35.4 billion vehicle kilometres. Just under a third (31 per cent) of journeys to work were by public or “active travel” – walking or cycling –in 2016, the same as in 2006.

There were 4,800 new electric and hybrid car registrations, seven per cent more than the previous year. Environmental organisations said the figures showed the need for more investment in sustainable transport.

Emilia Hanna, air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The upcoming Transport Bill must make it possible for local transport authorities to have greater control over bus operations so that buses can play their vital role in reducing air pollution and climate emissions.

“We need less reliance on cars, if we are to have create cleaner air, lower climate emissions, less congestion and a fairer transport system.

“The Scottish Government and local councils must make it easier for more of us to walk, cycle and use public transport.”

Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said the figures demonstrated there was no need for the government to scrap Air Passenger Duty – despite the plan being cited by Ryanair as reason for closing its base at Glasgow Airport. He said: “Aviation is already massively under-taxed, paying no fuel taxes or VAT on tickets, and benefiting from duty-free sales. It certainly has no need for further tax cuts given its already strong growth in passenger numbers.”

Green MSP John Finnie said: “What’s made clear by these statistics is the Scottish Government’s continued emphasis on promoting private car use at the expense of public transport, especially buses. The figures, that show a 22 per cent rise in air travel, also make a mockery of Ryanair’s claim that they’ve scrapped routes, and potentially jobs, from Glasgow Airport just to move them 50 miles along the road to Edinburgh Airport because the government won’t cut air passenger duty.”

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the government was committed to reducing the harmful effects of air pollution and climate change and noted the decline in bus patronage was “concerning”.

He said: “Accordingly, I’m proud that this government is continuing to spend over £250 million a year in grants to seek to arrest the trend and support this vital industry, allowing operators to keep fares at affordable levels. Additionally, the forthcoming Transport Bill will empower local authorities by providing options to improve bus services in their areas – giving them a greater choice in how to deliver a sustainable bus network for customers.”

Mr Yousaf highlighted plans for Low Emission Zones in Scotland’s four biggest cities.