Making the Connections:
The cross-sector benefits of
supporting bus services
Maria Machancoses
West Midlands ITA Policy & Strategy Team
 0121 214 7276
 MariaMachancoses@wmita.org.uk
The UK Bus picture:
• Over 5 billion bus trips/year (3 times
more than rail)
• Met areas alone: Bus Network generate
over £2.5bn econ. benefits vs £0.5bn
public funding.
• Over half of 16-19 years old and over
1/3 of 20-29 year olds.
• 20% Full-time employees and 30% parttime.
• 70% with no car available (25% of GB
Households have no car or van, may
more have limited access to a vehicle).
The case for investing in Bus services &
infrastructure....
BASED ON CROSS-SECTOR BENEFITS....
• Supporting wider Government policies...
• Targeted at specific governmental departments...
http://www.pteg.net/resources/types/reports/making-connections-cross-sectorbenefits-supporting-bus-services
• Increasing the UK’s exports and attracting
inward investment
UK global bus market +400,000
vehicles/year and worth £60bn (global firms
Heatherwick Studio, Wrightbus, Optare...)
• Achieving strong and sustainable economic
growth
As urban areas grow, so does congestion
hindering economic agglomeration. Bus
networks in the Met areas reduce congestion
and generate £400m/year agglomeration
benefits.
• Helping the UK Tourism industry: Bus users
make 471 million leisure trips/year & giving a
total estimated leisure spend of £6.2 bn.
• Making sure Council Tax payers get
good value for money: Compared to car trips...buses trips
support access to most economically productive
activities (38 % trips for work/education)
• Protecting the environment
 Each double Decker bus can take 75 cars off the road.
 Bus infrastructure can be designed or retrofitted to
maximised energy efficiency.
• Making the planning system work more efficiently and
effectively
 Unlocking new development land
 Employment sites: Providing access for a wider pool
of skills
 Contributing to the long term sustainability of
developments.
• Helping people find & stay in work
77% of job seekers in cities outside London do not
have regular access to a car/vehicle.
• Improving opportunities for older people
The national travel concession for older and
disabled people generates £1.50 of benefits for
every £1 of public money spent. Also supports
independent/healthy living
• Helping to reduce poverty and improve
social justice
Around half of households on the lowest incomes
have no access to a vehicle/car. Bus is a unique
tool to social policy.
WorkWise: What is it?
• Address transport barriers to
employment
▫ Travel Costs
▫ Access to Information
▫ Widening travel horizons
• Promote sustainable travel habits
• Support the local economy by
ensuring access to employment
sites/access to skills...
▫ (80 % retention – considerable
savings for benefits system)
• Support cross-sector working
(LTAs/JCP)
• Over 14,000 jobseekers supported
• Reducing obesity and improving diet
In the UK bus users walk an average of 15 minutes
when taking a return journey by bus (healthy living
– reducing costs to NHS)
• Making mental health services more
accessible
Supporting independent living, connecting
with society, reducing isolation....
• Making the NHS more effective and less
bureaucratic
Missed appointments alone cost hospitals
£600m/year – amongst others, cancellations
tend to come from people in deprived areas
which have little access to transport....)
Conclusion...
• There is a strong case to be made for the role of
buses in meeting non- transport national/local
objectives
• Further work is required in:
▫ Quantifying the wider benefits to secure financial
support from non-transport sectors
▫ Policy integration
▫ EMTA should consider translating into a
European context... Linking with EU Social,
Environmental and Economic Policies...
Maria P Machancoses
WMITA
mariamachancoses@wmita.org.uk