Buses hold share
Page 14
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DVERNMENT statistics show further drops in the size of the bus id coach industry last year, although buses and coaches hung on their ten per cent share of the inland passenger transport market M, November 14).
The total number of buses and )aches fell from 1979's 72,850 69,130, of which 43,547 were ngle-deckers and 25,583 were )uble-deckers. •
Of these, 27,375 were perated by independent corninies, 15,981 by National Bus, 1,356 by passenger transport :ecutives, 6,185 by London ansport, 5,602 by municipals, Id 3,631 by Scottish Bus .oup. In 1970, there were ,846 buses, and only the indemdent sector and London ansport had fewer than than in 80.
Of the single-deckers, 5,824 d up to 16 seats, 16,336 had 17 48 seats, and 21,387 had 49 or are seats. Among the doubleckers, 8,961 had 49 to 72 ats, and 16,622 had 73 or more ats.
3assenger journeys by bus
and coach dropped from 1979's 7,091m to 6,770m. In 1970, the figure was 9,144m. Stage journeys accounted for 6,187m, express for 39m (down from 44m in 1979), excursions and tours for 25m, and contract hires and private hires for 519m.
Passenger receipts of £1,622.2m were up on 1979's £1,408m and 1970's £447.3m. Stage accounted for £1244.5m, express for E56m, excursions and tours for E41m, and contract and private hire for £280.7m.
Overall, buses and coaches carried 51bn passenger/km, down on 1979's 52bn, but still ten per cent of the inland passenger market. Cars, motor cycles, and vans carried 82 per cent, pedal cycles one per cent, trains seven per cent, and aircraft 0.5 per cent.
The average British household spent £1.09 a week on bus fares last year, against 43p in 1970. It spent 80p a week on rail fares, £5.91 buying cars and spare parts, and £7.17 on car maintenance. It spent £108.14 on all household expenditure.
• Transport Statistics Great Britain 1970-80 is available for £18.50 net from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.