Brighton and Hove is leading the way in the struggle to get motorists out of their cars and on to buses.

The city is one of a tiny minority in which bus patronage is rising, according to a joint report by the National Audit Office and the Audit Commission. Its 12 per cent growth in bus passengers since 2000/1 is bucking the national trend.

The rise has been achieved thanks to the "successful" partnership between Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company and the city council. An NAO/Audit Commission report praised the partnership, established in 1997, for its "innovative" flat fares and buses equipped with visual information.

Bus priority lanes and real time bus stop information had also contributed to the increase.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said that officials were urging similar partnerships in cities around the country. He said: "We are encouraging partnership working between local authorities and bus operators to deliver improved services.

"Where this happens, significant increases in bus patronage can be delivered.

Brighton and Hove has seen a patronage increase of around 12 per cent since 2000/1, for example."

The only other cities where bus use is on the rise are York, where a similar partnership is in place, and London, which accounts for almost half of all bus use.

Audit Commission Chairman James Strachan said: "Buses are an important lifeline for many people and help reduce congestion in towns and cities. This has been recognised by targets to increase bus use.

"Success depends on many organisations working efficiently together. However, what stands out is that where there is strong local leadership to increase the use of buses, the difference is real and the public notices it."

Monday, December 12, 2005