UK Rail: Statistics, Analysis and Comment
Insight Articles: Our Blog
DfT stats show slowdown in new vehicles
ZEBs reach 8.3% but average fleet age increases
New figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of the Annual Bus Statistics show a slump in the delivery of new vehicles during 2023/24, as the average fleet age increased again. The statistics, based on operator returns, show that just 1.35% of the fleets were delivered during the year - representing 467 buses of various sizes. This compares with 1,582 in 2022/23 and an average of 2,500 plus between 2012 and 2018. As a consequence, the average fleet age stayed above 11 years and edged up once more.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Bus demand grows by 7.7% in 2023/24
Recovery in all areas, but Wales lags behind badly despite strong growth
Bus patronage in Great Britain grew strongly during the last financial year, but numbers remained well short of pre-Covid levels, according to the latest bus statistics published by the Department for Transport (DfT). They show that demand rose by 7.7% during the year end compared with the previous period. You can read more detail and analysis in our article "Overall bus demand up 7.7% in varied picture".
- By: Chris Cheek
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NTS 2023 shows huge change in rail use
Analysis of journey purpose, demographic profile and frequency of use reveal radical shifts
The latest full version of the National Travel Survey, published by the Department for Transport at the end of the summer, offers further confirmation, if it were needed, of the radical changes imposed on the market for rail services by the Covid-19 pandemic almost five years ago. Patterns of use by journey purpose and demography have been radically altered, and almost two decades of steady growth in rail trip making reversed. More details can be found in NTS Rail Analysis 2023.
- By: Chris Cheek
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UK Bus Awards - a unique celebration
The evolution of the scheme and its not-for-profit business model
Towards the end of November, some 600 of the bus industry’s movers and shakers will be gathering in London at the UK Bus Awards 2024 – the unique, not-for-dividend scheme that is designed to recognise and reward the people, projects and organisations that are delivering excellence in serving the public.
- By: Chris Cheek
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NHI hike to cost bus industry £95m a year
Changes will drive contribution costs up by 26%
The changes to the Employers’ National Insurance announced in today’s budget will hit bus operators with an increase of almost 26% in the cost of contributions, according to estimates by Passenger Transport Monitor.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Report warns government on bus reform
"It's all about money," says editorial
A report on the future of the bus industry has warned the government that new legislation alone will not improve outcomes without the funding to go with it. The new report, Britain's Buses in a New Era, examines the industry's future prospects in the context of the changes that have taken place since 2010.
- By: Chris Cheek
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