Public transport

Public transport

Local bus services

29% of survey respondents had used the bus in the past month. 3% used the bus every day or almost every day. [Table SUM1, Table 28a]

Frequency of bus use was also higher in urban areas: 42% of people in large urban areas used the bus at least once a month compared to 12% in remote rural areas. [Table 28a and Figure 15]

Figure 15: Percentage of adults using the bus at least once a month, by urban rural category, 2021
Chart showing percentage of adults using bus at least once a month by urban-rural classification. People use buses more frequently in urban areas than rural.

Rail travel

26% of the population had used the train in the last month. [Table 28b, Table SUM1]

The proportion of people who reported that they had used the train in the last month decreased with age: 47% of those aged 16-19 had used the train in the last month, compared to 11% aged 70 to 79 and 5% of those aged 80 and over. [Table 28b and Figure 16]

Figure 16: Percentage of adults using the train at least once in the past month by age, 2021
Chart showing percentage of adults in oldest and youngest age groups using the train as least once a month. 16 to 19 age group uses train a lot more frequently than over 80s.

Of those who had used the train in the last month, the most frequent journey purpose was visiting friends or relatives (32%), followed by shopping (28%). [Table 44]

Public transport cost

The average amount spent by an adult on public transport was £2.20 per week. Most people (84%) spent nothing. This includes those who do not use public transport and holders of a pass for free travel. [Table 53]

For those who said they used public transport at least once a week, the average spent was £7.50 per week and 52% spent nothing (this will include free pass holders). [Table 53]

Excluding free travel pass holders who are over 60 or have a long-term health problem or illness, the average cost for those travelling about once a week or more was £10.70. 34% of these spent nothing, 36% up to £10, 11% between £10 and £20, and 19% over £20. [Table 53]

Free bus travel for people under 22 was introduced towards the end of the survey period, although uptake was initially low.

Affordability of transport

78% of people said their transport costs were either fairly easy or very easy to afford. Those in households on incomes up to £10,000 were less likely to consider their costs affordable (61%). The survey was conducted over a time period before fuel prices and general inflation reached a peak in 2022. [Table 54 and Figure 17]

Figure 17: Percentage who thought transport costs were very or fairly easy to afford, selected household income groups, 2021
Chart showing percentage who thought transport costs were easily affordable for highest and lowest incomes. Highest income had greater percentage finding transport more affordable.

41% said transport costs affected the method of travel they used. This rose to 53% for those earning £10,000 or less. [Table 55]

 

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