Information on Loughborough

Bus travel on the up

Posted on 20/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

20 August 2009

Bus travel on the up

Figures from a recent survey show that bus travel in Leicestershire is becoming a more popular way of getting around.

According to the results, one in five of people interviewed who were aged between 16 and 24 use public transport every day. Similarly a third of 16 to 24 year olds travel on the bus at least once every week -  this is a rise compared to last year year's responses.

The figures confirm recent analysis which indicates that overall bus travel in Leicestershire has increased by almost 10% since 2004/5, with over 16 million bus passenger journeys taken in 2008/9.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “It is encouraging to see that bus travel in Leicestershire is a popular mode of transport as it makes the best use of existing road space and helps to tackle congestion.

“We want to continue to build on this by making alternatives to car use more attractive and influencing travel behaviour in the County.

“All these positive steps are designed to also cut carbon emissions and improve the quality of life for Leicestershire residents, through a healthier and natural environment.”

For help on planning bus journeys, please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. This line is open from 7am to 9pm, seven-days-a-week. Alternatively, visit: www.traveline.info .

Notes:

The 10% increase in bus travel in the county relates to journeys originating in Leicestershire.

The survey was carried out on behalf of the County Council by Ipsos MORI in March 2009. Over 1,000 residents were interviewed over the telephone.