Bus priority works for
Business
Business needs the bus. More people travel to work by bus than all other
forms of public transport combined. There are 2.5 million regular bus
commuters. A further one million people travel to work by bus as the
need arises. Over 50% of businesses surveyed considered that the bus
had a role in recruitment and retention. Twenty per cent of the full time
employed and 30% of part time employed are frequent bus users. In our
busiest and most congested urban areas the percentages are even
higher. And because buses are an efficient way of moving large numbers
of people when road space is at a premium, they also cut congestion for
all road users. That means easier deliveries, more efficient freight
transport and better travelling conditions for other road users as well.
Shops
Buses are crucial to the UK retail sector. A third of city centre visitors
made their most recent trip by bus. Those bus users spend an
average of £54 per city centre trip and make up 29% of all city centre
spending. Thirty per cent of shoppers rely on the bus as they have
not got access to a car or van. With 1.4 billion shopping trips per
year and an average spend of £29.66, this gives a total estimated
retail spend by bus users of £22bn in town and city centres.
Communities
Buses get young people into education and training, prevent older
people from feeling isolated and make it easier for the unemployed
to find jobs and then get to work. They also provide direct
employment for local people. In addition, buses provide access to
healthcare, and for those without access to a car the bus is a lifeline.
All of which leads to big savings in social and financial costs to
society as a whole. For example, over 50% of students over 16 are
frequent bus users. If they could no longer travel to their places of
education or training by bus, 12% would have to miss sessions and
6% would be forced to look for another less suitable course.
Growth
Buses have a key role to play in facilitating economic growth at
national and local levels. They provide essential access to labour
markets, businesses and education and training; are crucial to
congestion reduction on key corridors (congestion costs urban
economies £11bn per year); stimulate investment and regeneration;
and provide vital support to local businesses and retail economies.