The number of bus journeys made by passengers increased by almost a million last year.

Brighton and Hove City Council said 35.2 million single passenger journeys were made between April 2004 and March 2005.

Councillor Craig Turton, deputy chairman of the environment committee, said: "While some of the increase may have been existing passengers making more journeys, it is fairly certain much of the increase is down to new passengers, many of whom would previously have used a car."

The increase in passengers has prompted an expansion of bus services.

The number 81, which serves the Elm Grove, Queen's Park and Hanover areas, has been increased from four buses an hour to five.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said: "One of the reasons bus travel is popular in the city is that we have worked with the council to improve reliability and quality of information available to the public."

Monday, May 23 2005