Annual Survey Reveals Sharp Decline in Bus Use Among UK Commuters
The results of the fifth annual Mobilityways Commuter Census® have been released, showing a significant 19% decrease in bus use among UK commuters since 2024. The survey, which received responses from 8,789 participants, indicates that the recent increase in bus fares from £2 to £3 in January 2025 has had a measurable impact on commuter behavior.
This decline in bus use marks a near-complete reversal of the 17% increase that was recorded between 2023 and 2024, when the fare cap of £2 was implemented in January 2024. The findings highlight the sensitivity of commuters to price changes in public transportation and how quickly shifts in modal choices can occur in response to policy changes.
The Department for Transport’s own figures from the first half of 2025 support the trend observed in the Commuter Census, showing a decline in bus patronage since the fare cap was raised. While the fare cap remains in place, the increase to £3 appears to have pushed many commuters back into their cars, with driving alone on the rise for the first time since 2022, according to the Commuter Census.
Only 8.1% of respondents now use the bus (including EV bus) as their primary mode of transportation, down from 9.9% in the previous year. This drop is concerning, especially in light of the UK’s net-zero ambitions and the crucial role public transport plays in reducing Scope 3 emissions.
The decrease in bus use may be attributed to a variety of factors. In fact, 31% of respondents stated that they would consider switching to the bus as an alternative to their current commute. However, barriers such as reliability, availability, and journey time remain significant obstacles.
When asked what would encourage them to switch to public transport, 16% of respondents cited the need for more reliable, regular, and direct services. Meanwhile, 9% stated that there was no public transport option available to them at all.
Julie Furnell, Managing Director of Mobilityways, commented on the survey results, saying, “Commuters are clearly price-conscious. In our experience working with large employers, we have seen how quickly commuter behavior can shift when the right incentives are in place.”
She continued, “This year’s data shows that when public transport is priced affordably, people will use it. The success of the £2 bus cap last year proved that affordability drives uptake. But when costs rise, even modestly, many revert to less sustainable options. This year’s reversal shows how fragile that progress can be without continued support.”
The data sends a clear message to policymakers: pricing and service quality are critical to encouraging sustainable commuting. While the £2 fare cap was widely praised for boosting bus use, the increase to £3 has had the opposite effect. Employers, local authorities, and transport providers must work together to make public transport a viable and attractive option.
The full Commuter Census® can be accessed here, which includes information on changes in commuting modes, work travel patterns, attitudes towards commuting methods, and calculations of commuting emissions.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Amy Young
Senior Marketing Manager
07930 885 639
amy@mobilityways.com
www.mobilityways.com
About Mobilityways
Mobilityways is a social enterprise and technology company with a mission to make zero carbon commuting a reality. Founded as Liftshare in 1998, Mobilityways was launched in 2021 to support employers in meeting their net-zero goals with its suite of climate tech tools.
These tools enable companies to measure, reduce, and report their commuter emissions, providing full visibility of commuting challenges and identifying sustainable travel alternatives for employees.
Mobilityways has worked with over 1,000 companies to reduce their commuter emissions. In the last year alone, they have helped large organizations remove more than 5,000 tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere and taken 65 million miles off the road (enough miles to circumnavigate the Earth 2,600 times) by promoting car-sharing, public transportation, and active travel to work instead of driving alone.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.