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Viewing report
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Bus & Coach Operators Market Report 2006
Key Note Publications Ltd, Nov 2006, Pages: 107
The British market for scheduled bus and coach services, including concessionary fare reimbursement, but excluding other forms of government support, grew by 5% in real terms in 2005/2006, to reach £5.48bn. At the same time, bus patronage is increasing overall, but it is being driven by growth in London, Scotland and Wales. Bus patronage in England outside London declined between 2000/2001 and 2005/2006.
Including public transport support and bus operators service grants the total market was worth £6.86bn in 2005/2006. Over the 2000/2001 to 2005/2006 period, the level of government support for local services increased by 49.9%, while passenger receipts (excluding concessionary fare reimbursement) increased by 25.7% for local services. Despite the growing level of government subsidy, the UK remains relatively low compared with other EU countries.
The increase in government support is set against a strategic framework set up in the Government's 10-year plan for Transport for 2000 to 2010. One of the target aims of the plan was to increase bus patronage outside London by 10% over the period. The attainment of the target is through the culmination of local transport plans, quality partnerships and service development initiatives, particularly the Kickstart initiative.
The framework and methods by which improvements to local bus services are taking place are being locally driven, but they are also enveloped in an agreement with the bus industry to improve services. The agreement through the Confederation of Passenger Transport requires members to run 99.5% of their scheduled mileage except in circumstances where it is beyond their control, achieve and maintain an average fleet age of 8 years, ensure that 50% of the fleet is accessible by 2010/2011, and the level of public satisfaction with passenger information at bus stops improves.
In 2005/2006, 99% of scheduled mileage was undertaken, the average age of the fleet was 7.8 years, accessibility had reached 50% and passenger satisfaction with bus stop information was 69% compared with 66% the previous year. The improvements to bus services have been coincident with the growth in local bus service patronage overall but patronage outside London in England and non-local bus patronage has declined.
Against the background of slow and steady improvement to local bus patronage overall the industry has been relatively stable. The high level of concentration among five major operators that formed in the 1990s has been maintained. The top five operators account for 72% of the market in 2006, up from 69% in 2002, as a result of acquisition and organic growth. The coach market is dominated by National Express.
The extension of national concessionary fares to England in 2008 and the momentum behind Kickstart schemes should continue to ensure that the local bus service market grows, but the long-term forecast for non-local coaches is stable at best.
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