Slight rise (1%) in bus journeys across Great Britain but trips per capita remains stable, according to DfT
London usage drops
Concessionary patronage increases
Bus mileage up for first time since 2021
The post-pandemic rise in the number of bus passenger journeys per capita in Great Britain has stalled, according to newly published statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT).
The DfT annual bus statistics show a statistically insignificant drop across the country for bus journeys in the year up to March 2025, when compared to the previous 12 months, after adjusting for population.
Patronage had been rising encouragingly every year since the end of COVID restrictions, culminating with a 6% rise for Great Britain in trips per head for the year up to March 2024.
However, the latest data shows each adult in the country made an average of 60 bus journeys across the year for the latest 12-month period – when rounded, this matched the previous year. This figure is 81% of the equivalent for 2019 before the pandemic had a significant effect on bus usage.
Positively, bus passengers made just over four billion journeys in the year – a 1% rise on the previous 12 months.
Also, older persons and disabled concessionary passengers continued to return to buses following the pandemic with a 4% rise in journey numbers.
Bus mileage rose for the first time since 2021, with local service vehicles travelling 1.2 billion miles – an increase of 2% on the previous 12 months.
Patronage rises outside London
With London accounting for around half of all bus journeys made in England, a 3% drop in trips per head in the capital had a marked effect on the overall picture.
The number of bus trips per person in England outside London rose by 2%. The value is 83% of pre-pandemic levels.
Change in journeys per capita in each of England, Wales and Scotland did not change significantly, but a 3% rise was seen in English metropolitan areas.
Eight authorities better pre-COVID bus usage
In terms of local and combined authorities of England, London still by far tops the table of bus trips per capita. While it should be noted that the data for every area includes that for non-residents, 200 trips per head were made in the capital.
Brighton continues to be next best on 154 journeys per capita.
Eight of the 93 authorities have surpassed 2019 levels when accounting for population, led by Portsmouth (7% higher), Cornwall (5%) and Windsor and Maidenhead (5%).
