Four in ten adults want bus investment – YouGov poll

Nearly half of British adults want investment in bus services to be made a top priority by the next government, according to polling undertaken by YouGov for the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

According to HM Treasury’s annual analysis of public expenditure, less than 10% of all transport spending is allocated to the provision of bus services by the current government. This is despite 58% of all public transport journeys being made by bus, the CPT has previously published. The YouGov polling commissioned by CPT shows 42% of British adults want investment in bus services to be made a top priority by the next government.

This support is highest among Labour voters (48%) and households with no access to a car (48%) as well as voters over the age of 65 (46%). More than half (56%) of those polled who want the next government to prioritise spending on buses consider investment to provide more frequent bus services to be most important. A similar proportion (54%) want the next government to continue subsidising fares. Among households with no access to a car , more people (59%) would prioritise spending to provide more frequent bus services, but fares (49%) and new routes (41%) are also clear priorities for this group.

CPT highlights that bus commuters add £64 billion to the economy each year, and a fully loaded double decker bus can also take up to 75 cars off the road, which can ease congestion and improve air quality.

“Our latest polling shows that people want to see more frequent buses, fares kept low, and more new routes” – Alison Edwards, Director of Policy & External Relations at CPT

Commenting on the results of recent polling undertaken by YouGov for the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Alison Edwards, Director of Policy & External Relations, said: “Buses are the nation’s most affordable, accessible, and popular form of public transport – carrying over 10 million people a day. But spending is way below what many voters clearly think it should be. Our latest polling shows that people want to see more frequent buses, fares kept low, and more new routes. Among those who want the next government to prioritise spending on bus, those three things also matter significantly more to them than changing who runs the buses. The polling also highlights how, if the next government invests to improve services, many people will use the bus more often.”

Cutting fares for the under 22s is popular: Over two-thirds (68%) of all respondents supported a national fare discount for younger people (under the age of 22). This support was even greater among people intending to vote Labour 79%, and to among 18–24-year-olds themselves (83%).

“Supporting fares for young people is a vital way to ensure access to education and employment. It also helps to seed sustainable transport habits. Like several metro mayors, the Confederation of Passenger Transport believes many more young people will jump on a bus if the next government opts to support a fares offer for the under 22’s across the UK,” adds Alison Edwards.