New bus industry report published
Cost estimates for service increases and fleet decarbonisation
This week sees the publication of our latest report on the British bus industry, entitled Britain’s Buses in a New Era: The Opportunities and Threats Ahead. This 100-page report focuses on the future of the industry following the change of government in July 2024, setting it in the context of the changes that have taken place since the last Labour government left office in 2010.
It focuses on three major topics:
Where we have come from
The bus market as it has evolved since 2010, looking at income, service levels, patronage, fare levels, costs and financial performance
Bus Regulation
Current status of the National Bus Strategy, BSIPs, Franchising and Enhanced Partnerships, including funding allocations
The Key Tasks Ahead
A detailed look at the four key tasks that the government, local authorities and operators need to deliver over the next few years, including: Improving performance, Increasing Service Levels, Decarbonising the Fleet, Net Zero and Modal Shift, featuring estimates of costs and other indicators.
As part of the future assessment, the report provides cost estimates for increases in service levels under several different scenarios and decarbonising the fleet, including an examination of the prospects for repowering existing vehicles. When it comes to net zero and modal shift, there is a reassessment of the likely effects of current modal shift targets on bus industry patronage, using updated figures from the National Travel Survey.
Alongside this, it provides the latest update on the Bus Industry Monitor methodology for suggesting what level of profits operators need to earn in order to sustain themselves and meet their financial obligations. Figures on the impact of changes in bus journey times on costs of operation are also updated. The financial performance of local bus services in different areas of the country is also assessed, using data from the annual bus statistics published by DfT.
The report features five detailed Appendices to support the 100-page text, which is illustrated with 18 charts and 24 tables.