Public transport is a vital cornerstone for the economy, communities, health, and the environment. On a national scale, rail and bus users contribute approximately £200 billion annually to the economy, underpinning numerous sectors and facilitating the daily movement of people and goods. Beyond direct economic value, public transport plays a critical role in reducing road congestion, cutting air pollution, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions—a crucial function as the UK confronts the climate emergency.

Effective public transport systems enable the reduction of unnecessary car journeys, improving urban air quality and lessening environmental footprints. For instance, a single double-decker bus can replace up to 75 cars, while freight trains remove a staggering 20,000 lorry trips daily, benefiting not only users but the wider public. This is especially important for demographics without access to private vehicles, including low-income groups, the elderly, young people, and those with mobility challenges.

Rail travel alone is a massive economic engine, with passengers contributing nearly £100 billion each year to local economies through millions of daily journeys. Studies estimate that rail travel generates an additional £26 billion annually in economic, social, and environmental benefits, reinforcing the rail sector’s vital role in regional prosperity and national net-zero ambitions. The International Association of Public Transport highlights the broader environmental gains, noting that doubling public transport usage by 2030 could reduce urban emissions by up to 50% and cut transport-related air pollution by 45%.

Despite these benefits, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted public transport demand, with ridership on local buses and trains currently at only 75-80% of pre-pandemic levels. Early guidance to avoid public transport heightened passenger anxieties about virus transmission, and changes in work patterns have made commuting less regular than before. Although government funding helped sustain operators during the pandemic, this financial support is now tapering off even as demand remains subdued, leading many operators to reduce services. Campaign for Better Transport reported that nearly 20% of bus services were lost in the first year of the pandemic, exacerbating transport deprivation, especially in rural areas.

The government’s approach to fares has also been a sticking point. Since 1997, rail fares have risen by 132%, outpacing a 58% increase in motoring costs. Fuel duty freezes and cuts have disproportionately benefited car users, whereas bus and rail users have seen little relief. This has created distorted incentives, with some UK city flights costing less than rail travel, undermining efforts to encourage greener transport choices. The government recently introduced a temporary nationwide rail ticket offer, a step towards demonstrating that fare reductions can boost ridership and revenue. However, critics argue that lasting change requires an end to annual fare hikes, along with simplification and fairness in ticketing and investment that yields tangible improvements for passengers.

Bus services, often regarded as the backbone of public transport, face chronic underinvestment. The National Bus Strategy committed £3 billion to service transformation, but local authorities requested nearly £10 billion in funding. Ultimately, less than £1.1 billion was allocated, benefiting only 40% of authorities and leaving many with insufficient funds to maintain or enhance services. This fragmented funding approach risks deepening transport inequalities, particularly in remote and rural communities, as service cuts isolate residents and limit access to employment and essential services.

For public transport to fulfil its potential as an essential service, a shift is needed towards long-term, stable, and substantial funding—especially revenue support—to ensure comprehensive coverage and better quality services nationwide. The case for treating public transport as fundamental infrastructure is clear, given its multifaceted societal benefits. Investing in it equitably promises not only to support economic recovery and social inclusion but also to accelerate the transition to sustainable, low-carbon mobility.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services