East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy 2005/06

Figure 7.4 - Bus and light rail journeys in the East Midlands (Millions)
Source: DfT Transport Statistics
East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Annual Monitoring Report 2005/06
Data Analysis
7.30 The 2005/06 information on bus and light rail
journeys in the East Midlands shows an increase in
the use of public transport compared to 2004/05 but
still remains below the number of journeys taken by
public transport in 2000/01. The Nottingham tram
system (which has only one line) has shown a growth
in patronage, with 10 million journeys being
undertaken in 2005/06 compared to 8 million in
2004/05.
Policy Commentary
7.31 The national target of 12% growth in bus and
light rail patronage is lower than the growth
anticipated in road traffic over a comparable period
and therefore represents a decline in the mode share
of the former. It seems extremely unlikely that
growth levels of the order necessary to achieve an
actual increase in public transport mode share will
occur without substantial changes involving both
regulatory and financial reforms.The most effective
reforms will require the active support of central
Government, involving changes to the transport and
planning regimes, as well as in other areas of activity.
Policy 51: Regional Priorities for Integrating
Public Transport
Development Plans, future Local Development
Frameworks and Local Transport Plans should:
• promote the development of multi-modal
through ticketing initiatives and the integration
of public and other transport services
supporting health, education and social care
• promote the development of a hierarchy of
public transport interchange facilities at key
locations, starting with the Principal Urban Areas
and Sub-Regional Centres
• promote safe and convenient access on foot and
by cycle to public transport services
• consider settlements with existing or proposed
public transport interchange facilities as
locations for new development
• promote the development of new park and ride
facilities in appropriate locations to reduce
traffic congestion on routes into the Region’s
Principal Urban Areas and alongside strategic
transport corridors
Targets:
• Increase in population covered by integrated
ticketing schemes
Indicators:
• Population served by integrated ticketing schemes
Results:
Data Analysis
7.32 No data has been collected for this regional
priority measure since as formulated it gives a
confusing message, since the more integrated
schemes are the fewer there will be, so that in
extremis the whole of the East Midlands would be
covered by one scheme.
Policy Commentary
7.33 The achievement of a fully integrated public
transport system is highly desirable but little
progress is being achieved because of a number of
significant hurdles, over which local and regional
authorities currently have little or no control.The
removal of these barriers and their replacement with
a regime that positively seeks and encourages
greater integration is essential if significant progress
is to be made.
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