Bus and Air passengers are up, up and away! New transport statistics show a rise in the number of bus passengers in Scotland. Between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, bus operators had 436 million passenger journeys on local bus services, an increase of 2 million journeys from the previous year.

This year’s figure equates to 85 journeys per head of population in Scotland, 15% higher than the corresponding figure for Great Britain.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Lewis Macdonald said: "We are investing record amounts to improve and modernise public transport. I am pleased to see a further rise in the number of passengers using local bus services. After many years of declining demand for bus travel, this is the first time that there has been an increase over two consecutive years."

The latest edition of Scottish Transport Statistics published today also shows that the number of motor vehicles on the road increased by 3% in Scotland to 2.2 million, the highest number ever recorded.

Buses to reduce use of cars at peak times

Lewis MacDonald added: "Increased car ownership must be balanced by reduced use of the car for commuting at peak times, if we are to avoid facing economic and environmental costs which we simply cannot sustain. That is why we are working hard to build a sustainable, effective, reliable and integrated transport system to provide better choices for the travelling public. Our Learn to Let Go Campaign is about encouraging people to think about whether any of the journeys they make each week could be made easier by leaving the car behind."

The latest edition of the Scottish Transport Statistics shows the highest number ever of air terminal passengers recorded, with almost 18.1 million passengers flying from Scotland’s airports, an increase of 89% since 1991. However while there have been increases year on year in rail passenger journeys starting in Scotland, these fell by 4% in 2001-2002, demonstrating the effect on services resulting from the train drivers’ pay dispute.

Air Traffic to Grow

In conclusion he said: "We expect the volume of air travel to and from Scottish airports to continue to grow with significant opportunities for all Scotland’s airports to develop and respond to the increased demand for air travel.

"We recognise that railways lie at the heart of an integrated transport system. We are delivering improvements for rail passengers through the Public and Integrated Transport Funds and although passenger numbers have dropped this year, they are still 19% higher than ten years ago."

Scottish Transport Statistics costs Ł10. You can buy this publication at The Stationery Office Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9AZ or telephone: 0131 228 4181.