Benefits of bus travel

Benefits of bus travel

As part of the Go-Ahead Group, we understand the many benefits provided by taking the bus and we are dedicated to enhancing these for our community. 

To read the full article, click here: CAR - Benefits of Bus Travel PDF (543 KB).

Environmental benefits

Reduced emissions and cleaner air 

40,000 deaths per year in the UK are linked to harmful vehicle emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). 

All buses in the Carousel fleet meet at least the Euro V emissions rating which regulates the emission of these harmful by-products.

Low carbon footprint

Taking a bus instead of a car can help cut your (travel) carbon emissions (per passenger km) by 38%. For a bus carrying 40 people, this figure rises to 80%.

To see how much you could reduce carbon emissions by taking the bus instead of driving, visit our Journey Planner: Plan your journey.

Reduced congestion

In 2018, 62% of car journeys were made by single drivers with no passengers. 

If each of our buses were used to 50% capacity, an estimated 24.7 cars would be removed from the road per bus. Similarly, if used to 100% capacity, 50 cars would be taken off the road, freeing up 200m of road space per bus.

If each of our buses were used to 50% capacity, an estimated 24.7 cars would be removed from the road per bus. Similarly, if used to 100% capacity, 50 cars would be taken off the road, freeing up 200m of road space per bus.

Economic benefits 

Cheaper travel 

Bus travel is generally more affordable than driving, especially when considering fuel costs, parking fees, and vehicle maintenance. 

At Carousel Buses, we offer a variety of zone tickets that make it easy to do more, see more, and experience more, for less. 

Find out more about our tickets: Tickets.

Access to employment

Bus travel also provides an equitable transportation system which helps increase employment and productivity: 

  • Buses are important for those trying to re-enter the workforce.  
  • People use buses to commute to work where they earn money that they reinvest in the economy.  
  • Bus companies are a major employer and integral to the economies of the communities in which they operate.   

Explore our job vacancies and careers: Jobs. 

Social benefits 

Community mobility

Bus travel can improve community mobility by providing direct links to other communities and areas where there are opportunities such as jobs, education, healthcare, shopping, social gatherings, and more. 

Explore our services: Times & maps. 

Health & wellbeing benefits 

There are also many health and wellbeing benefits to bus travel: 

  • Bus services provide a highly accessible link to healthcare and health centres.  
  • Research shows commuters typically report better psychological wellbeing after travelling by public transport compared to driving. 
  • Walking to and from the bus stop can be an effective way to get active and reach your daily step goal.