Number of annual bus journeys rise in Brighton and Hove

People in Brighton and Hove used the bus more than ever last year, according to Brighton and Hove City Council.

And punctuality improved, with 89.4 per cent of buses running on time in 2013-14, up from 88 per cent in the previous year.

The council said: “Passengers made more than 46 million single bus passenger journeys during 2013-14 and bus patronage increased by 3.6 per cent.”

Councillor Ian Davey, the council’s lead member for transport, said: “We have fantastic bus services in the city and the fact that more people are using them and punctuality is improving shows that it really is a convenient and reliable way to travel.

“The council is pleased to support bus travel in various ways, making it a real and practical alternative to the car which in turn helps reduce congestion.”

The council said: “The number of bus journeys made in Brighton and Hove has doubled in 20 years, soaring from 22 million in 1992-93 to 46.37 million in 2013-14.

“The huge popularity of buses in Brighton and Hove reflects successful partnerships between the council and operators.

“The latest figures are compiled from all eight bus operators in the city who are part of a partnership with the council to improve services.

“Brighton and Hove City Council is spending £1.3 million on supported bus services that provide vital links to outlying areas, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

“The council is also improving infrastructure for buses in the city through schemes such as the ‘Better Bus Area’ in Edward Street, new bus lanes in Lewes Road and the Vogue gyratory and is working with Brighton and Hove Bus Company to develop cleaner bus technology to reduce emissions.

“For many years the council has also jointly funded the ‘Breeze Up to the Downs’ bus service with the National Trust and South Downs National Park which connect the city to countryside destinations on the South Downs.”