Record-breaking week for buses

20 May 2013 02:53 PM

Almost 50 million bus journeys were made in just one week in the Capital earlier this year - the highest number since before 1960.

There are now as many bus journeys being made in London each week as in the rest of England combined.

Around 2.3 billion journeys are made on London's buses each year - 60 per cent above 2000 levels.

With the Capital's population expected to rise by one million over the next ten years, this is expected to increase.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'London's buses are the backbone of the Capital's transport system, and every day as many bus journeys are made in London as the rest of the country combined.

'That underlines the huge importance of continued investment in the bus network as London's population continues to grow.

'Without the efficient movement of people that the network allows, London could simply not function as it does - driving the UK economy as it emerges from recession.

'As we invest we are not only keeping London moving but are also stimulating jobs and growth around the country as businesses across the land build, service and maintain the various vehicles and components that comprise our clean, green and accessible fleet.'

Record levels of ridership are being seen across all parts of the Capital's transport network as the city's population grows.

London Underground's end of year (2012/13) figures show that 1.229 billion passenger journeys were made - a five per cent increase on 2011/12.

Broadly as many journeys are made by Tube each day as the rest of the National Rail network combined.