This report by Professor David Begg quantifies the impact of congestion on the bus sector. The report concludes that across the most congested urban conurbations in the UK bus journey times have been rising by on average almost 1% per annum.
Over the last 50 years, bus journey times have increased by almost 50% in the more congested urban areas. If we had protected bus passengers from the growth in congestion there would arguably be between 48% and 70% more fare paying bus passenger journeys today.
The report warns that if the trend is allowed to continue our urban buses will no longer represent a viable mode of transport for the majority of its customers. Already in London some buses on some routes run at close to walking speed.
Everyone in industry, local government and Whitehall knows we have a problem. Until now it has not been properly quantified. This report makes clear the true extent to which congestion has been corrosive to the bus sector.
