Transport Statistics

Great Britain 2019

Moving Britain Ahead

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1
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019

Contents Page
Chapter summaries
Modal Comparisons 3
Aviation 5
Energy and Environment 7
Freight 9
Maritime 11
Public Transport 13
Roads and Traffic 15
Transport Accidents and Casualties 17
Vehicles 19
Walking and Cycling 21
Transport and Disability 23
Transport Expenditure 25
Transport Statistics Users Group 27
Central and Local (Government) Information Partnership (CLIP) Transport Statistics 28
Devolved Administrations 29

2
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Modal Comparisons
• 808 billion passenger kilometres were travelled in Great Britain in 2018, remaining at a
similar level to the previous year, but 2% higher than 2008.
• People made an average of 986 trips across private and public transport in 2018, with
around a quarter of all trips made for leisure purposes.
• The average time taken to travel to work in 2018 was 29 minutes across all modes of travel.
• There were 71.1 million visits overseas by UK residents in 2018, with 85% of these
visits made by air.

How much we travel TSGB0101, TSGB0102

• In 2018, 808 billion passenger kilometres Passenger kilometres by mode, Great Britain,1960-2018
were travelled in Great Britain, with 83% of billion
Other Rail Buses & coaches Cars, vans & taxis
passenger kilometres made by cars, vans and passenger-kms
900
taxis. 800
• There were 8.3 billion passenger journeys 700
on public transport vehicles in 2018/19, re- 600
maining at a similar level to the previous year. 500
3.2 billion journeys by rail* 400

170% on 1960 300

200
4.8 billion journeys on local bus services
100
62% on 1960
0
*Rail includes trips by National Rail, London Underground,
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
and Glasgow Subway.

How many trips we make TSGB0103

• On average people made 986 trips using a combination of different modes in 2018, a fall of 3%
when compared to 2008, but the highest since 2009.
Other private transport Other public transport
Average number 9 trips 3 trips
Walk Taxi/minicab
of trips made per 262 trips 10 trips
person, England,
2018
Private Public Bus
*Rail includes trips by
surface rail (National transport transport 48 trips
Rail) and London 891 trips Bicycle 95 trips
Underground 17 trips Rail
** Other public trans-
33 trips
port includes trip by air, Car/van
ferries and light rail 602 trips

Why we travel TSGB0104

• Around a quarter (26%) of all trips were for Trips by purpose and main mode, England, 2018
leisure purposes in 2018, that includes trips 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

to visit friends, sports, holidays and day Commuting

trips. Around 18% of trips were for commut- Business

ing or business purposes. Education / escort education

• Most modes of travel are used for a mix- Shopping

ture of purposes, however over half (57%) Other escort

of all trips by rail are for either commuting or Personal business

business purposes. Leisure

Other including just walk

All purposes

Walk Bicycle Car/van Other private transport

Bus Rail Taxi/minicab Other public transport

3
Modal comparisons
How we commute TSGB0109
• Across Great Britain, 68% of workers typi- Usual method of travel to work, Great Britain, 2018
cally travelled to work by car, though this Car Rail Walk Bus Other
varied by region with London having a sub- 68% 10% 10% 7% 5%

stantially lower proportion of people (27%).

• The average time taken to travel to work
in 2018 was 29 minutes, ranging from an
average of 15 minutes for walking to 59 min- *Rail includes travel by National Rail, underground
and light railway systems and trams.
utes for travelling by rail.
TSGB0111 TSGB0112
Average time (minutes) taken to travel to work by usual Percentage of workers usually travelling to work by car
method of travel, Great Britain, 2018 by region of workplace, Great Britain, 2018

Car 27

Motorcycle 27

Bicycle 21 70%
Bus/coach 38

Rail 59

Walk 15 78%
Other modes 37
75%
All modes 29 76%
79%
• When considering both workers and 80% 78%
non-workers, more than 80% of people 80%
27%
entering Central London during the morning
peak used rail-based modes of transport. 75% 74%

How we travel overseas TSGB0114–TSGB0116

• There were 71.1 million visits overseas by UK residents in 2018, a decrease of 1% when
compared with 2017.
• A total of 37.9 million visits were made by overseas residents to the UK in 2018, which was
3% fewer than in 2017.
• The most frequent reason for visits was for holidays, both for UK residents visiting abroad and
overseas residents visiting the UK.
Visits abroad by UK residents, 2008-2018 Visits to the UK by overseas residents, 2008-2018

60,635m
56,041m (85%)
Air

29,057m
24,024m Air (77%)
6,085m 4,806m
8,145m Sea (8%) (13%)
4,495m Sea
4,825m 5,014m 4,042m
Channel Tunnel 3,369m Channel Tunnel
(7%) 2008 2018 (11%)
2008 2018

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: Nikesh Lad
[email protected], 020 7944 4847

4
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Aviation
In 2018, UK airports that received commercial air traffic:
• handled 292 million terminal passengers (passengers joining or leaving aircraft at an
airport), this was 3% greater than 2017.
• handled 2.63 million tonnes of freight (freight set down and picked up at an airport), this
is a similar amount of freight handled in 2017.
• experienced 2.2 million air transport movements (aircraft departures and landings), this
is a slight decrease (down around 1%) on 2017.

Trends in air traffic at UK airports TSGB0201

• The number of terminal passengers at UK Indexed trends in UK air transport, 2000-2018
airports grew for the eighth consecutive year 180

Index (Year 2000 = 100)

in 2018 after displaying a fall during the 2008 Terminal
passengers
economic downturn. 160

• The number of air transport movements has

grown at a more subdued rate than passen- 140

gers since 2010, and remains 6% less than Air transport

120 movements
the peak in 2007.
• Heathrow handled the most air freight (64%) 100

in 2018, followed by East Midlands (13%). Freight handled

These two airports have consistently handled 80

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
over 70% of all air freight at UK airports over
the last decade.

Passenger movements TSGB0202

• The London airport system (Heathrow, Gat- Top 10 airports for terminal passengers, 2018
wick, Stansted, Luton, London City, Sou- million passengers
thend) accounted for just over 60% of all Heathrow 80.1
Gatwick 46.1
terminal passengers at UK airports. Manchester 28.2
• In 2018, there were 252 million internation- Stansted 28.0

al passenger movements at UK airports, an Luton 16.8

Edinburgh 14.3
increase of 31% on 2008. Birmingham 12.5
Trends in international 252m
Glasgow 9.7
passengers 31% on 2008
domestic and 192m Bristol 8.7
international Belfast International 6.3
passengers at domestic passengers
UK airports, 42m 40m
7% on 2008 TSGB0205
2008-2018 2008 2018 Top 10 origin/destination countries, 2018
• Just under three-quarters (73%) of interna- million passengers
tional passenger movements were to/from Spain 43.9
United States 21.6
European countries. Spain continues to be Italy 15.8
the most popular origin/destination country for Germany 15.1
passengers at UK airports. Irish Republic 13.0

Oil Rigs (<1%) France 12.5

Breakdown of Netherlands 11.0
international Rest of the World
Portugal 8.2
passengers 43m (17%)
Poland 8.0
movements at North America Total United Arab Emirates 7.9
UK airports, 25m (10%) international EU-27
2018 252m 166m (66%)
Other Europe
17m (7%)

5
Aviation
Air transport movements (ATMs) TSGB0202, TSGB0203
• Heathrow accounted for around 20% of all air ATMs at selected UK airports, 2018
transport movements at UK airports in 2018. ATMs On-time performance (%)
Early and up to 15 minutes late
• Additionally, the following airports handled more Heathrow 475,600 76.2
than 100,000 movements: Gatwick, Manchester,
Gatwick 279,800 69.2
Stansted, Edinburgh, Luton and Birmingham.
192,200
• Of these, on-time performance of flights (early Manchester 72.8

and up to 15 minutes late) ranged from 59.5% at Stansted 183,300 59.5

Stansted to 76.2% at Heathrow in 2018. Edinburgh 123,800 72.8

Luton 105,900 67.9

Birmingham 103,200 70.9

Characteristics of passengers at UK airports

Heathrow experiences the highest proportion of transfer passengers, due to the presence of air-
lines that use the airport as a hub for their operations.
Proportion of transfer passengers at selected UK airports, 2018 TSGB0206

Gatwick Heathrow Luton Manchester Stansted

9% 35% 2% 4% 5%

The most common reason for air passengers to travel was for holidays and visiting friends and
relatives, although this did vary by airport.
Purpose of travel at selected UK airports, 2018 TSGB0208
Business Holiday Visiting friends/relatives Other

14% 12% 16% 12%

25% 25%
31%
Gatwick 38% Heathrow 50% Luton Manchester 41% Stansted
36%
43%
53%
34% 58%

The mode of transport used to travel to airports varied across UK airports. Half of passengers
at Stansted (50%) travelled by public transport in 2018 and most commonly by rail. In contrast,
Manchester saw the highest proportion (81%) of passengers who travelled using a private vehicle.
Mode of travel to selected UK airports, 2008-2018 TSGB0207
Private transport Public transport 89%
81%

63% 67% 65%

60% 60%
56%
52% 50%

47% 49%
44%
37% 40% 39%
33% 34%
19%
11%
2008 Gatwick 2018 2008 Heathrow 2018 2008 Luton 2018 2008 Manchester 2018 2008 Stansted 2018

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: Nikesh Lad
[email protected], 020 7944 4847

6
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Energy and Environment
• Transport remains the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases in 2017, having
overtaken the energy sector in 2016. There have been large reductions in energy sector
emissions over the last decade.
• There have been large reductions in air pollutant emissions from transport, with most
pollutants seeing a reduction of at least 90% since 1990.

GHG emissions by sector TSGB0306

UK domestic GHG emissions by sector: 1990 to 2017
MtCO2e
300
• The UK’s net domestic
250
greenhouse gas emissions
200 were 460 million tonnes of CO2
equivalent (MtCO2e) emissions in
150
Transport 2017, down 3% from 2016.
Energy
100
Business • Transport emissions have
Residential
50 Agriculture
decreased by 2% between 1990
Waste and 2017, and made up 27% of
0 Other
1990 2000 2010 2017 net domestic emissions in 2017.

GHG emissions by transport mode TSGB0306

• Since 1990, UK transport GHG emissions by mode: 1990 and 2017
emissions from Total
Domestic Emissions (%) International Emissions (MtCO2e)

rail, buses 1990: 56% 16% 9% 7% 4% 8% 16 8

128
and domestic MtCO2e
shipping
decreased, Total
2017:
whereas van 126
55% 16% 15% 5% 3% 5% 35 8

emissions MtCO2e Buses Int’l Aviation Int’l

Cars & Taxis HGVs Vans Dom. Other
increased by Shipping Shipping

67%. Van traffic

has doubled • International aviation emissions, which are not part of the UK’s
since the early domestic emissions, have more than doubled since 1990.
1990s.

Air pollution TSGB0308

Air pollution from UK domestic transport:
1990, 2003 and 2017 - indexed to 1990 levels
• Domestic transport emissions
Index : 1990 emissions = 100
100 of carbon monoxide (CO),
81 benzene, butadiene, lead, and
78
80
sulphur dioxide (SOx) have
57
decreased by at least 90% since
60
51 1990.
44 43
40
29
35 • Decreases have been slower
27
22 for nitrous oxides (NOx)
20
7
10 and particulate matter (PM).
4
0
4 1 1 Transport now accounts for 50%
90 03 17
CO
90 03 17
NOx
90 03 17
PM10
90 03 17
PM2.5
90 03 17 90 03 17
Benzene Butadiene
90 03 17
Lead
90 03 17
SOx
of UK domestic NOx emissions.

7
Energy and Environment
New car fuel efficiency TSGB0303
UK average new car fuel efficiency, miles per gallon:
2000 to 2018
70
• Average new car fuel efficiency has
Diesel cars generally increased over the past
60 two decades.
58
50 • This trend reversed in 2016 as new
Petrol cars 51
40 45 cars became less fuel efficient. This
is largely driven by an increase in
30 35
the proportion of SUVs and other
20 large vehicles amongst new car
10 registrations.
0 • Average new van fuel efficiency has
2000 2010 2018 also increased in recent years.

Renewable fuels TSGB0313

Average GHG saving of UK renewable fuel:
From April to December, 2018: 2011/12 to 2018*
• 4% of all UK road transport fuel was Greenhouse Gas Savings (%)
renewable. 80
• 1,518 million litres equivalent of 76 78%
verified renewable fuel was supplied
72
to the UK.
• Renewable fuel had an average 68
68%
GHG saving of 78% compared to 64
conventional fuel. This GHG saving,
if extended over a full year, would be 60
equivalent to taking 1.8 million cars off 56
the road for a year. 2011/12 2018*
2018* = shortened reporting period of 9 months.

Electric vehicle charging TSGB0314

UK electric vehicle charging devices per 100,000 people:
October 2018
UK average = 23
London 49 • There are over 15,000 public electric
Scotland 32 vehicle charging devices in the UK. The
North East 28 geographical distribution is uneven, with
South East 22 more devices per person in London and
South West 21 Scotland than in other regions.
Wales 17 • There are over 200,000 plug-in electric
North West 17 vehicles in the UK. 55,000 are fully
Northern Ireland 16 electric, while the remainder are hybrids.
East Midlands 15
• A map of charging devices by
East of England 15
local authority is available at:
West Midlands 14
maps.dft.gov.uk/ev-charging-map.
Yorkshire and the Humber 12 Source: Zap-Map

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: Jack Marks
[email protected], 020 7944 4847

8
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Freight
Overall, in 2018:
• Most of the freight moved domestically was by road (79%).
• Goods moved in the UK by GB-registered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) increased by 3%.
• Goods moved by rail have increased 3% in 2018/2019.
• Waterborne freight continues its steady decrease since 2000, decreasing 3% from 2017.

Domestic freight In 2018: TSGB0401–TSGB0403

Domestic freight, goods moved by mode: 1998 to 2018
(billion tonne kilometres) 193 billion tonne kilometres of domestic
250
freight was moved within the UK, of which...

200
79% by road,
150 Road

100
13% by water,

50 Water 9% by rail.
Rail
0
Note: Total percentages do not add up because of rounding
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

Domestic road freight TSGB0407–TSGB0420

In 2018, Great Britain registered HGVs: Goods lifted by GB-registered HGVs domestically: 1998 to 2018
(million tonnes)
Percentage 2,000
increases from 2017:
1.41 billion
1%
tonnes lifted 1,500

152 billion tonne

3%
kilometres moved 1,000
18.7 billion
kilometres travelled 1%
500

Definitions
Goods lifted: the weight of goods carried, measured in tonnes.
Goods moved: the weight of goods carried, multiplied by the 0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
distance hauled, measured in tonne kilometres.

International road freight TSGB0407–TSGB0420

International goods lifted: 1998 to 2018 by UK-registered HGVs
(million tonnes) Although the overall trend in the last 20 years
18 has been downward, 2018 showed an increase
15 in both goods moved and lifted to/from the UK.
12
8.7 million 5.6 billon
9 tonnes tonne
lifted kms
6 moved
3 Percentage changes from 2017:

0 11% 4%
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

9
Freight
Road goods vehicles TSGB0434
Road goods vehicles travelling to mainland Europe: 1998 to
In 2018, 3.5 million goods vehicles travelled 2018 (thousands)
4,000
from Great Britain to Europe: Total goods
vehicles
3,500
• 2.4 million were powered vehicles
3,000
• 1.1 million were unaccompanied trailers
Foreign-
2,500 registered
The number of foreign-registered powered powered vehicles
2,000
vehicles has risen from 0.7 million in 1998 to
2.0 million in 2018, while the number of UK- 1,500 Unaccompanied
trailers
registered goods vehicles has decreased by 1,000
36% in the same time period. In 1998, 43% of UK-registered
500 powered vehicles
powered vehicles were UK-registered, compared
to 14% in 2018. 0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

Rail freight TSGB0422–TSGB0424

Goods moved by rail: from 2000/2001 to 2018/2019
(billion tonne kilometres)
9.0
In 2018/19, 17.4 billion tonne kilometres
of freight were moved by rail, up 3% from
8.0 Domestic
intermodal 2017/18.
7.0

6.0
Over the last 5 years, freight moved by rail has
Other
categories declined as a result of the reduced demand for
5.0
coal at UK power stations.
4.0
Construction Despite this, there have been long-term
3.0
increases in domestic intermodal freight (up
2.0
31% in the last decade), and construction freight
Coal
1.0 moved.
0.0
2000/01 2003/04 2006/07 2009/10 2012/13 2015/16 2018/19

Waterborne freight TSGB0425–TSGB0428

Goods moved by water: 1998 to 2018 (billion tonne kilometres)
In 2018, 24.2 billion tonne kilometres of
waterborne freight were moved (down 3% from 70

2017). 60

50
The amount of waterborne freight moved has
been steadily decreasing since its peak 40

in 2000, due to an overall decrease both in 30

coastwise and one-port traffic between UK 20
ports. One-port traffic has increased 7% in 2018.
10
Coastwise traffic decreased 7% compared to
2017. 0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

Responsible statisticians:
Paul McEvoy (Road Freight) Ashley Mewett (Rail)
[email protected], 020 7944 3095 [email protected], 020 7944 2419
Nayim Ahmed (Road Goods Vehicles) Ignacio Argüelles Martínez (Maritime)
[email protected], 020 7944 3095 [email protected], 020 7944 4847
Further information and detailed statistical tables

10
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Maritime
In 2018:
• International freight handled by the UK increased by 0.8% and domestic decreased by
1.5%, compared to 2017. In particular, unitised traffic rose 2.9% and bulk freight fell 1%.
• International short sea passengers continued to decrease, down to 19.6 million.
• The number of civilian search and rescue helicopter taskings declined by 7.5%.
• The number of seafarers increased by 8.4%, driven by a 22.6% increase in ratings.
Port Freight Traffic TSGB0501, TSGB0502
UK port traffic, by route type: 2018
compared to 2017, million tonnes. 483.3 million tonnes of freight passed
International through all UK ports, similar to 2017.

389.7
million
81% of all port freight was international.
tonnes

The EU accounted for 54% of the UK’s major

0.8% ports’ international trade. Trade with the USA
has increased noticeably by 22% since 2017.
Domestic
million The UK continues to import more than it
93.6 tonnes exports.
Imports: 257.4 Mt
1.5% Exports: 132.3 Mt

Port Freight Cargo TSGB0501, TSGB0502

In 2018, 98% of traffic was handled by UK major UK port freight tonnage, by cargo type: 2018, million tonnes.
ports (ports handling over 1 million tonnes of
freight a year). Other Cargo
17.9 Mt
Bulk freight (liquid and dry bulk cargo Roll on - Roll off
107.6 Mt
categories) fell by 1% in 2018, having declined
each year since 2011, driven mostly by declines Liquid Bu k
in coal and crude oil. 184.2 Mt

Unitised traffic (Lift on – Lift off and Roll on

– Roll off cargo categories) grew 2.9% since Container (Lo-Lo)
2017, accounting for over 37% of all UK major 68.5 Mt
port freight traffic in 2018. Dry Bulk
94.0 Mt

Shipping Fleet TSGB0511, TSGB0512

UK shipping fleet: 1997 to 2018, million deadweight tonnes The UK registered trading fleet grew for the
fourth consecutive year and has recovered to
51.0 the level of 2008.
UK managed
37.1
At the end of 2018, the UK’s shipping fleet
UK parent owned
41.4 was 17th largest in the world, staying in the
10.6 same position as in 2017.
15.3
9.8 Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong
UK registered
13.2 UK direct owned and Singapore continue to have the largest
shipping registers, with almost 60% of the world
2.7
1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018 registered ships.

11
Maritime
Sea Passengers TSGB0507, TSGB0508, TSGB0510
19.6 million passengers travelled on International short sea passengers and Channel Tunnel
international short sea routes in 2018, passengers: 1990-2018
continue the general decrease, compared to 40,000
the increasing trend of passengers travelling 35,000
through the Channel Tunnel. France is the
foreign country with most passengers to and 30,000
International Short Sea
from the UK, with 14.3 million in 2018. 25,000 21,551
Cairnryan – Belfast remained the most popular 20,000
domestic route with 1.2 million passengers in 15,000
19,600
2018. Channel Tunnel
10,000
UK had 1.9 million cruise passengers in
5,000
2017, increasing over 80% in the last 10 years.
0
1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018

Civilian Search and Rescue Helicopters TSGB0513 (a)–(c)

Civilian search and rescue helicopter taskings, by base: There were 2,438 civilian search and rescue
2018/2019 compared to 2017/2018 (sorted by size). helicopter taskings in the UK in the year
Newquay 2018/2019
ending March 2019, a decrease of 7.5%
Prestwick 2017/2018
compared to the previous year. Half of all
Lee On Solent taskings were rescues or recoveries, the rest
Caernarfon being search and support actions, and half took
Inverness place on land.
St Athan Distribution of civilian search and rescue helicopter
taskings, by location: 2018/2019
Humberside Maritime
14%
Lydd
Sumburgh
Land Total:
Stornoway 50% 2,438 Coastal
36%
0 100 200 300 400

Seafarers TSGB0514, TSGB0515

Seafarers, by type: 2004-2019
22,440 UK seafarers were active at sea. This Total*
27,870
decreased by 12.9% from 2018 driven by a fall in
Ratings, e.g. hospitality and catering (24.1%).
22,440

Around half of the total active at sea were

officers (10,320 certificated and 1,310 Certificated
uncertificated) with a further 1,670 officer Officers*
13,150

cadets in training. Ratings*

10,430 10,320

Gender distribution among UK officers 2019 9,140

Female Female Female
3% 29% 23% Uncertificated 3,260
Officers 1,670
1,030
Cadets 1,310
Male Male Male
97% 71% 77% 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019
*Trends over time for ratings and uncertificated officers can be impacted by
changes in the coverage of the data provided by the Chamber of Shipping.
Certificated Uncertificated Ratings For this reason fluctuations should be treated with caution.

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: I. Argüelles Martínez
[email protected], 020 7944 4847

12
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Public Transport
• In 2018/19, people made 4.8 billion local bus passenger journeys in Great Britain, 58% of
all public transport journeys.
• There were 1.8 billion National Rail passenger journeys in Great Britain. Light rail and tram
travel also continued to grow, to the highest level (0.3 million journeys) since comparable
records began in 1983.
• On average, each person in England made 10 trips and travelled 101 kilometres by taxi or
Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) in 2018.

How much we travel on public transport TSGB0102

Passenger journeys by mode: Great Britain 1985/86 to In 2018/19:
2018/19
Billion 4.8 billion local bus passenger journeys in
5
Great Britain, 58% of all public transport jour-
4
neys
Buses
(GB outside London)
1.8 billion National Rail passenger journeys
3
in Great Britain, an increase of 156% since
Buses (London)
1985/86
2
National Rail

0.3 billion passenger journeys on light rail

1 Underground
(London and Glasgow)
and tram systems in Great Britain, a record
Light Rail and Tram level since comparable records began
0
1985/86 1990/91 1994/95 1998/99 2002/03 2006/07 2010/11 2014/15 2018/19

How far we travel on public transport TSGB0603,0609,0610,0612,0629,0633

In 2018/19: Passenger kilometres by mode: Great Britain 1985/86 to
2018/19
27.4 billion passenger kilometres travelled
on local bus services in Great Britain
80
National Rail

70

67.7 billion passenger kilometres travelled 60

on National Rail in Great Britain 50

Rail travel tends to be used for longer journeys. 40

Buses

On average, people made 48 trips by bus and 30

travelled 441 kilometres compared to 22 trips 20 Underground

(London and Glasgow)

and 992 kilometres by rail in England in 2018¹. 10

Light Rail and Tram

0
1986/87 1990/91 1994/95 1998/99 2002/03 2006/07 2010/11 2014/15 2018/19

¹National Travel Survey, bus includes non-local bus services

Share of passenger journeys by TSGB0102 Rail passengers in excess of TSGB0632

public transport mode: 2017/18 capacity (PiXC)1
6%
Underground Light Rail
Buses National Rail (London and and Tram AM peak
Glasgow) (07:00-09:59)
4% Both
4% peaks

PM peak
58% 21% 17% 2% (16:00-18:59)
1 PiXC is the percentage of passengers in excess of
capacity on a typical autumn weekday

0%
Buses accounted for the highest proportion of 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018

passenger journeys in 2018/19, but National

In Autumn 2018, crowding across both morning
Rail had the largest share of passenger
and afternoon peaks on trains into London was
kilometres. This is due largely to rail journeys
at the lowest level since 2013.
being over longer distances on average.

13
Public Transport
Revenue and government support TSGB0602, TSGB0622, TSGB0623
Rail passenger revenue in 2018/19 increased in real terms year-on-year. Net government support
also increased over the last two years, mostly due to higher train operator subsidies and an
increase in government spending on HS2.
Revenue and government support, 2004/05 to 2018/19 (at 2018/19 prices)
Buses in England National Rail in Great Britain
Billion (£) Billion (£)
12 12

Passenger revenue
10 10

8 8

6 6

Passenger fare receipts

4 4
Net government support

2 Net government support 2

0 0
2004/05 2006/07 2008/09 2010/11 2012/13 2014/15 2016/17 2018/19 2004/05 2006/07 2008/09 2010/11 2012/13 2014/15 2016/17 2018/19

Light rail passenger journeys TSGB0611

Light rail and tram passenger journeys by system: In 2018/19:
England 2018/19 and 2017/18
272 million passenger journeys were made
Blackpool Tramway 2018/19 on the eight light rail and tram systems in
Manchester Metrolink 2017/18
England, a 1.9% increase from the previous
Tyne and Wear Metro
year. This represents record numbers of
passenger journeys and vehicle miles since
Sheffield Supertram
comparable records began in 1983.
Midland Metro
12.6% of journeys were concessionary.
Nottingham Express Transit
Concessionary travel on light rail and trams is a
London Tramlink relatively small proportion compared to 33% for
Docklands Light Railway local bus passenger journeys in England.
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles TSGB0628

In 2019, there were 291,800 licensed taxi and Taxis and PHVs by area (thousand): England 2019
private hire vehicles in England, an increase of Licensed vehicles (thousands)
140
Statistics published annually from 2017

2.5% since 2018. PHVs England  66%

120 outside London since 2005
On average, each person in England made
10 trips and travelled 62 miles (101 kilometres) 100

by taxi or PHV in 2018. Over the last 10 years, 80

the distance travelled has increased by 19%, 60

but the number of trips has remained broadly
stable. 40

Most people (60%) rarely use a taxi or PHV (at 20  3%

Taxis London since 2005
most twice a year), but around a quarter travel 0

by taxi or PHV at least once a month. 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2018 2019

Responsible statisticians:
Pat Kilbey (Buses, light rail, taxis and PHVs) Nicholas Peluffo (Rail)
[email protected], 020 7944 3077 [email protected], 020 7944 2419
Further information and detailed statistical tables

14
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Roads and Traffic
Overall, 2018 has been a stable year for conditions and traffic on the road network:
• Road length and road traffic remained at similar levels to the previous year.
• Average delay on the Strategic Road Network and local ‘A’ road network increased slightly
to 9.4 and 47.3 seconds per vehicle per mile, respectively.
• Road condition on local roads was similar to recent years.

Road traffic trends by vehicle type TSGB0701

Motor vehicle traffic, billion vehicle miles: Great Britain 2018
50% 14%
increase increase
6%
increase
In 2018, 328 billion vehicle miles were
350
in traffic in traffic in traffic Other driven on Great Britain’s roads.
Lorries
300
Vans This is a similar level to the previous year.
250

200 Cars continue to be the main contributor

Cars &
150 Taxis to changes in traffic levels. They account
100 for 78% of vehicle miles, followed by vans
50 (16%) and lorries (5%).
0
1949 1959 1969 1979 1989 1999 2009 2018

Road length and traffic by road type TSGB0702, TSGB0709

Percentage of road traffic and road length on
There were 246,700 miles of road in different road types: Great Britain 2018
Length Traffic
Great Britain in 2018.

Vehicle traffic is unevenly distributed across Motorways 1% 21%

Great Britain’s road network.

In 2018, 66% of the motor vehicle miles travelled ‘A’ Roads 12% 45%

were on motorways and ‘A’ roads, although these

comprise only 13% of the road network by length. Minor
87% 34%
Roads

Road condition of local authority managed roads TSGB0721

Proportion of LA managed roads categorised as red*,
by road type in England 2018/19
The condition of local authority
140

120
Unclassified managed roads has remained stable in
Roads
Improving Condition

100 the most recent years.

‘B’ and ‘C’
80 Roads In the year to March 2019, 3% of ‘A’
60
‘A’ Roads roads, 6% of ‘B’ and ‘C’ roads, and 16%
40
of unclassified roads were categorised as
20
Index: 2007/08 = 100
red*.
0
2007/08 2011/12 2015/16 2018/19
*The roads categorised as ‘red’ are those that should have been considered for maintenance (i.e., further investigation is required).

15
Roads and Traffic
Congestion on the Strategic Road Network* TSGB0716a
Average delay compared to free flow (seconds per
In 2018, average delay on the Strategic vehicle per mile): England 2018
Road Network* was estimated to be 9.4 11

seconds per vehicle per mile. Monthly

This is an increase of 0.4 seconds per vehicle 9

Year ending

per mile (3.9% increase) on the previous year. 9.0 9.4

7 spvpm spvpm

Average speed on the Strategic Road Network

was 59.0 mph, down 0.6% on the previous 5

year.
30
2015 Apr 2015 Dec 2016 Dec 2017 Dec 2018 Dec

*The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is made up of the motorways and major trunk roads in England that are managed by Highways England

Congestion on Local ‘A’ roads in England TSGB0716b

Average delay compared to free flow (seconds per vehicle
per mile): England 2018 Average delay on local ‘A’ roads was
55
46.9 47.3
spvpm spvpm estimated to be 47.3 seconds per vehicle
50 per mile in 2018.
Monthly

Year ending
This is an increase of 0.4 seconds per vehicle
45
per mile (0.8% increase) on the previous year.
40
Average speed on local ‘A’ roads was
24.9 mph, down 1.3% on the previous year.
35

0
30
2015 Apr 2015 Dec 2016 Dec 2017 Dec 2018 Dec

Vehicle speed compliance TSGB0714–0715

Free flowing vehicles exceeding the speed limit on
In 2018, under free-flowing conditions, roads: Great Britain 2018
46% of cars exceeded the speed limit on
motorways. Articulated Rigid
Road type Vans Cars
HGVs HGVs
The proportion of cars exceeding the speed limit Motorways 47% 1% - 46%
by more than 10 mph was much lower, at 11% National Speed - 20% 36% 10%
Limit Single
on motorways, 5% on 30 mph roads and 1% on Carriageways
60 mph roads. 30 mph Roads 53% 42% 46% 52%

Responsible statisticians:
Anna Heyworth (Road traffic) Helen Sleight (Road congestion)
[email protected], 020 7944 3095 [email protected], 020 7944 3095
Sarah Lasher (Road length and condition) Jeremy Grove (Vehicle speed compliance)
[email protected], 020 7944 3095 [email protected], 020 7944 3095
Further information and detailed statistical tables

16
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Transport Accidents and Casualties
• There were 1,784 reported road deaths in 2018, similar to the level seen since 2012, which
followed a period of substantial reduction in fatalities from 2006 to 2010.

• Rail is one of the safest modes of transport in Great Britain. There were no passenger
fatalities as a result of a train accident in 2018-19.
Road TSGB0801
Reported road casualties by severity and motor traffic:
In 2018:
Great Britain, 1950 to 2018 1,784 reported fatalities
250 1,000
25,511 reported seriously injured *
Motor traffic

200 Slightly injured 800

Index of motor vehicle traffic (1950=100)
133,302 reported slightly injured *
328 billion vehicle miles
(reported)

150 600 Despite a continuing increase in motor traffic from

Index of casualties(1950=100)

1950 to 2018, both killed and seriously injured

100 Seriously injured 400 casualties have fallen from the 1960s, and slightly
(reported)
injured casualties have fallen from the 2000s.
*As reported to the police. Comparisons of recent figures with earlier years
50 200 should be interpreted with caution due to changes in systems for severity
Killed reporting by some police forces in 2015 and 2016. The adjusted estimates
from the Office for National Statistics Methodology Service analysis show that,
0 0 if all police forces were using an injury based system, there would be 28,122
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 seriously injured and 130,691 slightly injured casualties in 2018. The 2018
annual report provides further information on this.

By road user type TSGB0812

Car occupants remain the greatest share Fatalities % change proportion Fatalities per bn
of fatalities on GB roads. However, cars since 2017 in 2018 passenger miles
account for around 80% of the traffic on
777 1% 44% 1.8
British roads.
456 3% 26% 33.7
Vulnerable road users are usually defined as
pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists.
354 1% 20% 119.7

99 2% 6% 29.7
*Percentage change for other road users has been suppressed,
given the underlying numbers for ‘other’ vehicles are smaller than
other road user types. Disaggregated other road user fatalities per
billion passenger miles is available through the 2018 annual report.
Other* 98 - 5%

By road type TSGB0813

Reported road fatalities by road type and motor traffic: Motorways remain the safest road type across
Great Britain, 1998 to 2018 the last 10 years.
2,500 2017 to Motor
2018 % traffic in
change 2018
2,000
(billion Rural roads and urban roads saw a substantial
vehicle
miles) decreasing trend in fatalities to 2010, followed
Rural roads
1,500 by stability from 2010 to 2018.
1% 145
1,030
1,000
646
Urban roads
Rural roads have seen increasing traffic from
= 0% 114 2013, whereas urban roads have remained
500
107 Motorways stable.
0
= 0% 69
1998 2018

17
Transport Accidents and Casualties
Rail Safety and Accidents TSGB0805–0807
• Rail remains one of the safest modes of Fatalities on the national rail network: GB, 2001/02 to
transport. 2018/19
200
• Since 2001/02, Non-suicide fatalities
Passenger km
have fallen 51%. This is despite passenger
kilometres increasing by 73% over this 160

period.

Index 2001/02 = 100

120
• In 2018/19, there were 40 non suicide Suicides

fatalities reported (including 2 workforce, 13

80
passengers and 25 public).
• There have been no workforce or
40
passenger fatalities in train accidents Total fatalities
(excl. suicides)
since 2006/07.
0
Fatalities on the National Rail network: GB, 2018/19 01/02 03/04 05/06 07/08 09/10 11/12 13/14 15/16 17/18

Level crossings Other

1% 5% A passenger is a person who intends to travel,
Trespassers is in the process of travelling,or has travelled.
7%
A member of the public is neither a passenger
or a member of the workforce, and includes
311 trespassers and level crossing users.
fatalities in
2018/19
• Overall, casualties on the railway are at
Suicides 87% the lowest level since the series began in
2001/02, with total injuries falling by 7.4%
National Rail Passenger casualties by type: GB, over this period.
2018/19 Major injuries 6%
• In 2018/19 there were 6,500 recorded
passenger injuries, with fatalities making up
Minor injuries 92% 0.2% of these injuries.
Shock / Trauma 2%
• There was one passenger fatality for every
Fatalities 0.2% 135 million journeys in 2018/19.
Signals Passed at Danger (SPADs) TSGB0808

A SPAD is when a train passes a stop

In 2018/19: 309 SPADs
signal without the authority to do so. SPADs on Network Rail controlled infrastructure
500
• There has been a long-term decline in
SPADs seen over the last two decades. 400
Number of SPADs

• Since 2001/02, there has been a 29% fall in 300

SPADs recorded, driven particularly by a 200

fall in the number of SPADs classified as
100
potentially severe/significant.
• However, more recently SPADs have 0

increased slightly, with 5% more occurring

in 2018/19 compared to the previous year. Potentially severe Potentially significant No significant risk Unclassified

Responsible Statisticians:
Alex Ma (Road Safety) Nicholas Peluffo (Rail Safety)
[email protected], 020 7944 6595 [email protected], 020 7944 2419
Further information and detailed statistical tables

18
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Vehicles
• Total vehicle stock increases steadily each year.
• Whilst cars make up the majority of the vehicle stock, light goods vehicle growth has been
strongest for a number of years.
• More than three quarters of the households in England have access to at least one car or
van, and the proportion of households with access to more than one has been increasing.

Licensed Vehicles TSGB0903

Index of licensed vehicles at the end of the quarter At the end of 2018, there were 38.2 million
by body type, Great Britain licensed vehicles in Great Britain, of which
Index: 1994 Q4 = 100
200
31.5 million were cars.
The total number of licensed vehicles has
180
increased in all but one year (1992) since 1946
160 All when there were only around 3 million vehicles.
vehicles
In more recent years, the total has increased by
140 approximately 1 to 2% per year.
120 The number of licensed light goods vehicle
(LGVs) has increased more quickly than other
100
vehicle types over the last 20 years.
80
1994 2000 2006 2012 2018

New Registrations TSGB0902, TSGB0904

Vehicles registered for the first time by body type,
During 2018, 2.9 million vehicles were
Great Britain (millions)
registered for the first time in Great Britain.
3.0
This was 5.5% lower than during 2017 and
2.5
11.0% lower than during 2016. However, it was Private and light goods 2.46m
2.0 vehicles
similar to 2014 new registrations and still 23.7% Other vehicles
higher than the most recent recession low point 1.5
recession
in 2009. 1.0 recession
0.28m recession
0.5
0.14m 0.47m
0.0
1950 1967 1984 2001 2018

Fuel Type TSGB0905

Cars registered for the first time by fuel type There was a 30% decline in the number of
(millions) diesel cars being registered for the first time
2.5
in 2018 compared to 2017.
2.0 Alternative fuel vehicles have gained in
popularity over the past few years.
1.5 Petrol
In 2018, over 63 thousand ultra low emission
Diesel
1.0 vehicles (ULEVs) were registered for the first
time in the United Kingdom, up 20% on 2017
0.5
Alternative fuels and 53% on 2016 and now make up 2.2% of
0.0 new car registrations.
2001 2006 2011 2016

19
Vehicles
MOT Tests TSGB0908
In 2017/18, 30.6 million MOT tests were 30.6 million 74%
conducted. MOT tests Pass rate

The pass rates reflect all tests that resulted in a

90% motorcycle pass rate
first time pass, or a pass rectified at the station
(PRS).
74% car pass rate

65% van pass rate

Driving Tests and Licences TSGB0915, TSGB0917

1.7 million practical 1.7 million practical car driving tests were
car driving tests in conducted during 2017/18, no change from
2017/18. 2016/17. Men pass the practical driving test at
a higher rate than women, and both these rates
46% 43% 50% are stable.
pass rate pass pass
In 2018, there was an increase of around 8
Percentage of population holding a licence by selected
age groups, England
percentage points in the proportion of men
90 and women aged 17 to 20 who had a driving
60-69 years
80 licence.
70
All ages This is an unusually large year-on-year
60
50 increase, but more years are required to see
70 + years
40 whether this is a developing trend of more
30 younger people learning to drive and passing
20 17-20 years
10 their test following decreases since the mid-
0 1990s.
1975 1985 1995 2005 2015

Car Ownership TSGB0914

Percentage of households with access to a car or van by
76% of households have access to at
rural/urban classifications: England 2017/18
least one car. Furthermore the percentage of Rural Village, Hamlet and Isolated Dwelling
households with access to more than one car/ 60 Rural Town and Fringe
van has increased from 8% to 35% since the Urban City and Town
50
early 1970s. Urban Conurbation
41 %
40 England
35 %
The cost of purchasing a motor vehicle is lower
30
than 20 years ago, contributing to increased car 24 %
ownership. The Consumer Prices Index shows 20
that in 2018, the cost of purchasing a motor 10
vehicle was 9% less than in 1998 in real terms.
0
No car/van One car/van Two or more
cars/vans

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: Stephen Reynolds
[email protected], 020 7944 3077

20
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Walking and Cycling
• People have walked more often and further distances over the last three years, following a
period of decline.
• Nearly all (97%) local authorities had at least 60% of their adult population walking at least
once per week.
• The average number of miles cycled has generally increased over time, but the number of
cycling trips has remained flat over the same period.

Walking trips and distance TSGB1109

Average number of stages and miles walked per In 2018:
person per year: England, 2002 to 2018
347 walking stages were made on average
400 per person, an increase of 6% since 2002.
350 Stages 6% since 2002
210 miles was the average distance a person
328
347
stages
walked. This was 2% higher than in 2002.
300 stages
The proportion of adults walking at least once
250
Distance
per week in England increased from 68% in
2% since 2002
200
206 210
2015-16 to 70% in 2017-18
miles miles
150
2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Stages: Trips consist of one or more stages. A new stage is defined
when there is a change in the mode of transport.

Cycle trips and distance TSGB1109

Average number of trips and miles cycled per person
In 2018: per year: England, 2002 to 2018
17 cycle trips were made on average per
person. It has remained between 14 and 18 70
Distance 50% since 2002
60
trips per person per year since 2002. 58
50
58 miles was the average distance people 39 miles
miles
40
cycled. This was 50% higher than in 2002. 30
Trips 5% since 2002

The proportion of adults cycling in England at 20

18
least once per week fell slightly from 12% in 10 trips
17
trips

2015-16 to 11% in 2017-18 0

2002 2006 2010 2014 2018

Travel to school TSGB1108

Usual mode of travel to school by age group:
England 2018 In 2018, 51% of primary school children usually
walked to school, similar to previous years,
Other while 37% of secondary school children did so,
a decrease from 45% in 2002.
Secondary
3% of children cycled to school, this proportion
has remained between 2% and 3% since 2002.
Primary Secondary children cycled to school more: 4%
compared to 3% for primary school children.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

21
Walking and Cycling
Proportion of adults walking at least once a week by
Walking frequency Local Authority: England 2017/18 TSGB1112
Nearly all local authorities had at least 60%
of their adult population walking at least
once a week in 2017/18.

87% of adults in City of London* walked

at least once a week - the highest rate in the
country. This was followed by Isles of Scilly*
(83%) and Richmond upon Thames (83%). London
55% of adults in Pendle
walked at least once a week - the lowest rate in
the country.
*Note that due to their small size, the estimate for City of London and Isles of Scilly
has a higher degree of error associated with it.

Cycling frequency
TSGB1111
Proportion of adults cycling at least once a week by
Local Authority: England, 2017/18 Nearly all local authorities had less than
20% of their adult population cycling at least
once a week in 2017/18. Only 15 authorities
had more than 20%.

57% of adults in Cambridge cycled at

least once a week - by far the highest rate in
England. This was followed by Oxford (39%)
and Isles of Scilly* (35%).
London

3% of adults in Havering cycled at least

once a week - the lowest rate in the country.
*Note that due to their small size, he estimate for City of London and Isles of
Scilly has a higher degree of error associated with it.

Pedestrian and pedal cycle road accidents TSGB1110

In 2018: Reported fatalities: Great Britain 1979 to 2018
456 pedestrian deaths
Fatalities remained broadly constant between
2010 and 2018.
99 pedal cycle deaths
Fatalities are similar to the levels seen since
2008.
6,793 pedestrians killed or seriously
injured* (KSIs)
which is 23% of all KSIs*.
4,205 pedal cycle KSIs*
which is 14% of all KSIs*. *adjusted

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statisticians:

Pat Kilbey / Julie Sullivan
[email protected], 020 7944 3077

22
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Transport and Disability
• In 2018, the average number of trips per year made by adults was lower for disabled peo-
ple than for non-disabled people.
• Disabled people were more likely to be a passenger in a car for their trips than non-disa-
bled people. They were also less likely to be a car driver.
• There were 2.29 million Disabled Parking Badges (Blue Badges) held in March 2019, and
930,000 disabled concessionary bus passes.
• 99% of local buses were disability accessible in March 2018.
Travel by people with disabilities In 2018: TSGB1201
Trips per person per year by disability: England, 2018
Has disability or illness expected to
last more than 12 months
The average number of trips made by adults
was lower for disabled people than for non-
1,200 1,132
1,055
1,012
disabled people.
1,000 900

800
568 trips per adult per year were made by
568
people with a disability expected to last more
600
than 12 months and that affected their ability to
400
carry out day-to-day tasks a lot.
200
1,055 trips per adult were made by people
0
A lot A little Not at all No disability
lasting more
All
aged
without a long-term disability.
Does disability or illness affect than 12 mths 16+
carrying out day-to-day tasks?

Travel mode by people with disabilities TSGB1201

In 2018: % of all trips by different modes of travel: England, 2018
Local
50% of trips by people with no long-term Car Car bus
disability were as a car driver, compared driver passenger Walk Other
to 35% of trips by people with a long-term With long-term
disability and day-to- 35% 29% 23% 7%7%
disability that affected day-to-day tasks a lot. day tasks affected a lot

A higher proportion of trips by disabled With long-term disability

people were as a car passenger. Overall and day-to-day tasks 42% 16% 29% 8%5%
affected a little
though, disabled and non-disabled people
made a similar proportion of their trips by car.
No long-term disability 50% 13% 25% 5%8%

Travel by people with different impairments

Trips per person per year by impairment, England: 2018 In 2018: TSGB1202
Social/behavioural 594

Speech 660
594 trips per adult per year were made by
Vision 666
people with a social or behavioural impairment.
Memory 678

Mobility 687 This compares to 687 trips per person by

Dexterity 703 people who had a mobility impairment and 787
Learning 703 trips per person per year by people who had
Mental health 733 stamina or breathing impairments.
Hearing 769

Stamina/breathing/fatigue 787

Other 930

0 200 400 600 800 1000

23
Transport and Disability
Disabled parking badges (Blue Badges) TSGB1204
In 2019: Blue badges held (millions): England, annually since 1997

2.29 million Blue Badges held in England

as at 31 March, a decrease of 59,000 Blue
Badges (2.5%) since 2018.
4.1% of the population held a Blue Badge,
similar to the previous year.
There were 1,432 prosecutions for misuse
of Blue Badges between April 2018 and
31 March 2019, an increase of 17.9%
The number of Blue Badges held at 31 March 2019 may be a slight
underestimate due to changes to the Blue Badge Improvement database.

Concessionary older and disabled bus TSGB0627, TSGB1208

passes 2018/19:
Passes on issue: England 2019
9.1 million older and disabled concessionary
travel passes held in London and metropolitan
Disabled
passes areas.
10%
930,000, 10% of total passes were disabled
passes. In London and metropolitan areas, the
Total passes for older
and disabled people:
proportion of disabled passes was higher (15% and
13% respectively). In non-metropolitan areas, it
9.1 million was lower (8%).
861 million older and disabled concessionary
Passes for older people journeys, 94 per pass.
90%

Public transport: accessibility for TSGB1206, TSGB1207

disabled people, in 2018/19: Percentage fully accessible vehicles: Great Britain (buses,
trains); England and Wales (taxis)
56% of taxis¹ in England and Wales were
wheelchair accessible.
56% March 2019
99% of local buses in Great Britain were ˄ 2 percentage points since 2005
disability accessible. 99% March 2018
88% of rail units in Great Britain were ˄ 71 percentage points since 2005
accessible. 88% December 2018
1.Excludes Private Hire Vehicles ˄ 10 percentage points since 2017

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statisticians:

Pat Kilbey / Julie Sullivan
[email protected], 020 7944 3077

24
 Transport Statistics Great Britain 2019
Transport Expenditure
• In real terms, public sector expenditure on transport is at the highest level since the time
series began, with recent spend on HS2 driving year-on-year increases.
• Meanwhile, weekly household expenditure on transport has fallen slightly, though it
continues to make up the largest category of household spend, exceeding housing, fuel and
power, and recreation and culture.
• Despite the fall in weekly household expenditure, the price of transport to the consumer
continues to grow faster than the overall cost of goods and services.

Total public sector transport expenditure TSGB1301

Public sector transport expenditure: UK, 1995/96 to 2018/19
35
• In real terms, public sector expenditure
£32.5bn in
2018/19
on transport in the UK has almost
30
Real terms
doubled since 1995/96.
(2018/19 prices)
• In 2018/19, £32.5bn of public
25
expenditure was spent on transport.
20
£16.8bn
in 1995/96
• Public spend on transport increased
£billion

(real terms) by £1.6bn in real terms compared to

Current price
15 2017/18. This represents a 5% increase.
10 • Two thirds of public sector transport
expenditure is Central Government
5 Network Rail spend, with the remaining spend being
reclassified as a
public body made by Local Governments and Public
0
1995/96 1998/99 2001/02 2004/05 2007/08 2010/11 2013/14 2016/17
Corporations.

Public sector transport expenditure by mode TSGB1302–1304

Public sector transport expenditure by mode: UK,
• Spend on railways made up the largest 2018/19
proportion of all public sector transport Other
Transport
spend. 6%
National
Roads
• In 2018/19, there was £18.1bn of public 15%

expenditure on railways, an increase

of 12% (£1.9bn) nominally compared to
2017/18. This was driven particularly by Total public
expenditure on
increasing HS2 spend. Local
Railways transport: Roads
• Spend on roads totalled £10.2bn 55% 16%
(including both national and local road £32.5bn
Local Public
spend) in 2018/19. This represent a slight Transport
nominal increase of £0.1bn compared to the 8%

previous year.
• Public spend on transport is primarily capital
spend (almost two thirds), reflecting the
large proportion of infrastructure investment. Public sector transport expenditure by type: 2018/19
• However, current (resource) expenditure Capital 3% compared
saw a large increase in the latest year, £20.9bn to 2017/18.
driven by increased Central Government
support to rail services. Current 16% compared
£11.6bn to 2017/18.

25
Transport Expenditure
Average UK household expenditure on transport TSGB1306
Household transport expenditure: UK, nominal prices
• In 2017/18, spend on transport made up
14% of all weekly household expenditure, £13 £13 16% Air and other travel
making it the largest category of spend. £6
£7 8% Transport fares

£ per week (2017/18 prices)

• The average UK household spent £81 £12
£12 15% Other motoring costs
per week on transport in 2017/18, three
quarters of which were costs associated with
£22
motoring. £21 26% Fuel

• Compared to 2016/17, weekly household

expenditure on transport has fallen slightly
in real terms (by £2), driven by a 5% fall in £30 £28 34% Purchase of vehicles
motoring spend.
2016/17 2017/18

The price of travel TSGB1307–1309

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Transport components
250
• Since 1997, the cost of travel across all
Road Passenger Travel (including Buses, coaches and Taxis)
modes has risen faster than the overall
Rail Travel
cost of goods and services.
200

Motoring
• The cost of passenger transport by road
(which includes buses, coaches and taxis)
Index: 1997=100

150
has increased most, by 131% since 1997.
All items CPI • Increases in motoring costs over the
100
last two decades have been particularly
driven by increases in the cost of fuel and
50 maintenance, whilst the cost of purchasing a
vehicle has fallen slightly.
0
1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018

Transport taxes TSGB1310–1311

• Between 1990 and 2010, total fuel duty Fuel Duty and Vehicle Excise Duty: 1990 to 2018
30,000
almost tripled. In the years since, growth Fuel Duty

has slowed and since 2016 fuel duty has

25,000
fallen slightly.
• This recent trend has been driven by a 20,000
slowdown in growth of diesel fuel duty, whilst
revenue from petrol fuel duty has fallen each
£million

15,000

year since 2009.

• Reaching £6.5 billion in 2018, Vehicle 10,000
Vehicle Excise Duty
Excise Duty has grown steadily over the
last three decades. 5,000

0
1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018

Further information and detailed statistical tables Responsible statistician: Nicholas Peluffo
[email protected], 020 7944 2419

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 Transport Statistics Users Group

The Transport Statistics Users Group (TSUG) is a UK body which aims to:

• Identify problems in the provision and understanding of transport statistics and to

discuss solutions with the responsible authorities.

• Provide a forum for the exchange of views and information between users
and providers.

• Encourage the use of transport statistics through greater publicity

• Facilitate a network for sharing ideas, information, and expertise.

On this site you will find details of past and future TSUG seminars, publications and how to become a
member.

Join our mailing list to stay up to date with TSUG events and topics of interest.

To contact TSUG e-mail to: [email protected]

The group holds regular seminars on topical subjects connected with the provision and/or use of
transport statistics.

Recent seminars have included

• Traffic calming

• Active travel

• Aviation emissions

• The regulation of statistics

• Freight statistics

• High speed rail

We also publish a monthly review looking and developments in statistics and discussing
selected releases.

Corporate membership of the Group is £50, personal membership £22.50, and student membership
£10. For further details please visit www.tsug.org.uk, email [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

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 CLIP Transport Statistics
Central and Local (Government) Information Partnership (CLIP)

CLIP Transport Statistics (CLIP-TS) is a sub-group of the Central and Local (Government)
Information Partnership (CLIP), the main forum for discussion between central and local
government on statistical matters.

CLIP-TS comprises of representatives from Local Authorities (Combined Authorities, Shire

Counties and Unitary Authorities) and DfT.

The group fulfils the following aims:

• To act as a forum for consultation between DfT and local authorities on any transport statistics
of interest to either side that are not dealt with by other groups; and on any gaps in the
department's coverage.

• To act as a point of contact between local authorities and DfT on statistical matters of
common concern, including the statistics needed for the monitoring of Local Transport Plans,
Local Indicators, Regional and Local Statistics and other relevant matters.

• To review on-going data collections on the Single Data List on a rolling basis, to identify data
returns or elements of data returns that are no longer appropriate.

Dissemination of agendas, minutes and papers presented to the group will be through three
channels:

• Published on the LGA Knowledge Hub by DfT within two weeks of the end of the meeting.
These can be accessed here: https://khub.net/web/clip

• By DfT internally to the statistical community in the department and interested officials in
policy and other analytical professions

• By local authority CLIP representatives to their local contacts.

Membership of the group:

Julie Sullivan/Pat Kilbey (job-share) Tim Harvey (Leeds)
(Joint Chair, Buses and Local
John Horne (North East Combined
Transport Statistics)
Authority)
Clare Horton (Joint Chair, Staffordshire)
Nola Cooper (Kent)
William Bryans (Vice Chair, Surrey)
Robert Smith (Nottingham)
Paul Syron (Secretariat, Buses and
Hannah Groot (Transport for London)
Local Transport Statistics)
Helen Wilkinson (Local Government
Steve Berry (Local Roads, Light Rail
Association)
and Cableways)
Andrew Webster (Leicester)
Dave Gillet (Local Economics)
Tom Ellerton (Urban Transport Group)
Lee Sambrook (Local Transport
Funding & Investment Strategy) Christopher Storey (Transport For The North)
Hannah Bishop (Buckinghamshire) David Kinloch (Leeds)

Gary Beaumont (Hertfordshire)

For further information contact:
Keith Dove (Luton) Paul Syron, DfT (Secretary) 020 7944 3077

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 Scottish Government - Transport Scotland
Transport Publications
Scottish Transport Statistics
Transport and Travel in Scotland
Reported Road Casualties Scotland
Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland
Available from: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/statistics

General enquires on Scottish Transport Statistics:

Transport Statistics Branch
Transport Scotland
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Phone: +44 (0)131 244 7256
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/statistics

Welsh Government - Llywodraeth Cymru

Transport Publications
Road Casualties: Wales
Welsh Transport Statistics

Other publications with transport topics

Digest of Welsh Local Area Statistics
Digest of Welsh Statistics
Statistics for Assembly Constituency Areas
Digest of Welsh Historical Statistics

Statistics and Research

Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Phone: 0300 0604400
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: https://statswales.gov.wales

Northern Ireland Transport Statistics

Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch
Department for Infrastructure
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GB
Telephone: +44 (0)28 9054 0313
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research

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