Increased bus use and safer roads have helped Brighton and Hove scoop the prize for the best transport system in the UK.

The city council was awarded the accolade of Transport Authority of the Year at a London ceremony.

Announcing the award on Tuesday night, the Centre for Transport Policy, a privately funded research unit, hailed Brighton and Hove's success in moving people from their cars to buses and bicycles and reducing road casualties.

The council's transport department took the prize despite being, in its own words, "a small authority with no political majority and little money".

It pipped Nottingham City Council, Reading Borough Council and West Sussex County Council to claim top prize.

Since 2000, the number of journeys taken by bus in the city increased by 14 per cent. Cycling trips rose by 47 per cent, while the number of trips by car fell by 10 per cent over the same period.

Public satisfaction with bus services increased by 24 per cent to 80 per cent and the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents was reduced by 43 per cent.

A spokeswoman for the Centre for Transport Policy, which is based at the Robert Gordon Institute at Aberdeen University, said: "Brighton and Hove impressed the judges with its enthusiasm and commitment to improving local transport and increasing bus patronage and cycle use."

It also praised the council's political leadership, innovative and enthusiastic staff and responsiveness to its electorate.

Environment councillor Gill Mitchell said: "To receive national recognition for transport is a fantastic achievement. It reflects the council's outstanding record for providing transport innovations such as real-time information for bus services and a travel website that was a first in Europe."

The council has vowed to continue improvements with major schemes like rapid transport and park-and-ride to tackle increasing pressure on the city's transport network.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton won an award for making an "outstanding individual contribution to transport" for the council's work on high-speed bus network Fastway and its safety courses for young drivers and horse riders.

A report released yesterday shows the number 12 bus service between Brighton and Eastbourne is among the ten fastest growing in Britain, with 37 per cent more passengers last year than the year before.

The number 29 from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells, which saw an increase of 31 per cent, and Brighton and Hove's Metrobus Fastway service, which had 18 per cent more passengers, are placed 14th and 32nd respectively.

All three bus services commended in the report by the Confederation of Passenger Transport are run by Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, with Stagecoach and Arriva also involved in the service from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells.

Roger French, the managing director of the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said: "An increasing number of local people see modern bus travel as an attractive and viable form of transport. It's dependable, comfortable and cost-effective."

The report also praised the working partnership between the company and the city council for introducing a range of initiatives, including improved public transport infrastructure and bus frequencies.

Labour councillor Don Turner said the good working relationship between the council and the bus company has helped boost passenger numbers.

He said: "We all appreciate the difficulties of car movement in the city so the more people we can get on the buses the happier we are."

Brighton and Hove's Green party councillor Keith Taylor welcomed the report but said buses need to be cheaper and more efficient to encourage more motorists to use them and thereby cut congestion and pollution.