London Bus Route Usage 2021/2022

[uakari]

Oct 16, 2022 12:13:16 GMT vjaska said:

Oct 16, 2022 0:32:54 GMT londonbuses said:

Top 30 routes with the highest percentage change of usage (have gained the most passengers) since 2018/19 (the last available period on the data that was unaffected by COVID):

1. Route 404 - 158.12% (Frequency doubled, Sunday service added, and route extended)

2. Route 110 - 152.17% (Merged with 391)
3. Route 423 - 126.82%
4. Route 419 - 118.35% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
5. Route 112 - 107.42%
6. Route 440 - 107.02%
7. Route 425 - 105.49%
8. Route 384 - 98.85%
9. Route 289 - 97.42%
10. Route 125 - 91.90%
11. Route 26 - 91.76%
12. Route 490 - 90.19%
13. Route 90 - 89.56%
14. Route 35 - 88.84%
15. Route 232 - 88.74%
16. Route EL1 - 87.59%
17. Route 60 - 87.45%
18. Route 158 - 87.04%
19. Route H26 - 86.78%
20. Route 287 - 85.48%
21. Route 482 - 84.48%
22. Route 127 - 84.20%
23. Route 175 - 84.06%
24. Route EL2 - 83.53%
25. Route 303 - 83.40%
26. Route 318 - 83.22%
27. Route 130 - 82.04%
28. Route 453 - 81.81%
29. Route 372 - 81.73%
30. Route 314 - 81.70%

Top 30 routes with the lowest percentage change of usage (have lost the most passengers) since 2018/19 (the last available period on the data that was unaffected by COVID):

1. Route 209 - 7.42% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
2. Route 507 - 25.78%
3. Route 521 - 26.69%
4. Route 72 - 29.21% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
5. Route 45 - 38.74%
6. Route 485 - 47.27% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
7. Route 266 - 47.73%
8. Route 67 - 48.35%
9. Route 140 - 48.52%
10. Route 224 - 49.04%
11. Route 327 - 49.09%
12. Route A10 - 49.11%
13. Route 27 - 49.38%
14. Route R8 - 51.60%
15. Route 134 - 51.96%
16. Route 346 - 52.10%
17. Route E1 - 52.49%
18. Route X68 - 52.95%
19. Route 25 - 53.06%
20. Route 414 - 53.28%
21. Route 33 - 53.53% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
22. Route 476 - 54.05%
23. Route H22 - 54.63%
24. Route U10 - 54.82%
25. Route 268 - 54.88%
26. Route 4 - 55.11%
27. Route 292 - 55.24%
28. Route 412 - 55.44%
29. Route 299 - 55.88%
30. Route 433 - 55.92%

There’s another quite obvious pattern here that I’ve picked up on - the top 10 highest change is mainly routes that had extensions, re-routings and/or frequency increases in the last few years whilst the top 10 lowest change is mainly routes that have been cut back or frequency cut in the last few years which really shows what happens when you make a positive change and when you make unnecessary, detrimental ones

Though in the case of the 384, the extension at the western end is hiding a 40% + drop (adjusted for covid) on the eastern section between Barnet Everyman Cinema and Cockfosters, which is the section that had many parts removed. I still can't ever see TfL's ambition that 'passenger numbers increase by a third' overall on that route coming true. So it is necessary to look within an individual route as well for the true picture.

[BK15AZR]

Oct 16, 2022 0:32:54 GMT londonbuses said:

Top 30 routes with the highest percentage change of usage (have gained the most passengers) since 2018/19 (the last available period on the data that was unaffected by COVID):

1. Route 404 - 158.12% (Frequency doubled, Sunday service added, and route extended)

2. Route 110 - 152.17% (Merged with 391)
3. Route 423 - 126.82%
4. Route 419 - 118.35% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
5. Route 112 - 107.42%
6. Route 440 - 107.02%
7. Route 425 - 105.49%
8. Route 384 - 98.85%
9. Route 289 - 97.42%
10. Route 125 - 91.90%
11. Route 26 - 91.76%
12. Route 490 - 90.19%
13. Route 90 - 89.56%
14. Route 35 - 88.84%
15. Route 232 - 88.74%
16. Route EL1 - 87.59%
17. Route 60 - 87.45%
18. Route 158 - 87.04%
19. Route H26 - 86.78%
20. Route 287 - 85.48%
21. Route 482 - 84.48%
22. Route 127 - 84.20%
23. Route 175 - 84.06%
24. Route EL2 - 83.53%
25. Route 303 - 83.40%
26. Route 318 - 83.22%
27. Route 130 - 82.04%
28. Route 453 - 81.81%
29. Route 372 - 81.73%
30. Route 314 - 81.70%

Top 30 routes with the lowest percentage change of usage (have lost the most passengers) since 2018/19 (the last available period on the data that was unaffected by COVID):

1. Route 209 - 7.42% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
2. Route 507 - 25.78%
3. Route 521 - 26.69%
4. Route 72 - 29.21% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
5. Route 45 - 38.74%
6. Route 485 - 47.27% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
7. Route 266 - 47.73%
8. Route 67 - 48.35%
9. Route 140 - 48.52%
10. Route 224 - 49.04%
11. Route 327 - 49.09%
12. Route A10 - 49.11%
13. Route 27 - 49.38%
14. Route R8 - 51.60%
15. Route 134 - 51.96%
16. Route 346 - 52.10%
17. Route E1 - 52.49%
18. Route X68 - 52.95%
19. Route 25 - 53.06%
20. Route 414 - 53.28%
21. Route 33 - 53.53% (Hammersmith Bridge closure)
22. Route 476 - 54.05%
23. Route H22 - 54.63%
24. Route U10 - 54.82%
25. Route 268 - 54.88%
26. Route 4 - 55.11%
27. Route 292 - 55.24%
28. Route 412 - 55.44%
29. Route 299 - 55.88%
30. Route 433 - 55.92%

It seems like quite many of the East London routes have recovered quite well, while TfL have been messing around the routes in the area to push passengers onto the more expensive railways.

It's also interesting to see how the route changes have killing off them - the 45 is an obvious one, while the 25 and 67 are two other examples.

With the slow recovery, I can also just see the proposed cancellations of the 4 and 45 going ahead.

[vjaska]

Oct 16, 2022 15:38:09 GMT Trafalgax said:

Someone also requested for me to do a top 30 busiest single decker routes so here it is (rounded):

1. Route 235 - 3.72 million (+1)
2. Route 170 - 3.65 million (+2)
3. Route C10 - 3.41 million (+5)
4. Route W15 - 3.40 million (-3)
5. Route 195 - 3.39 million (-2)
6. Route 316 - 3.27 million (=)
7. Route 276 - 3.17 million (-2)
8. Route 450 - 2.97 million (-1)
9. Route 80 - 2.82 million (due to be fully converted) (+11)
10. Route 358 - 2.81 million (+11)
11. Route 214 - 2.77 million
12. Route 108 - 2.76 million
13. Route 366 - 2.76 million
14. Route 112 - 2.73 million
15. Route 184 - 2.66 million
16. Route 46 - 2.65 million
17. Route 355 - 2.64 million
18. Route 493 - 2.61 million
19. Route C11 - 2.60 million
20. Route 236 - 2.60 million
21. Route D6 - 2.59 million
22. Route E6 - 2.53 million
23. Route 181 - 2.47 million
24. Route 151 - 2.46 million
25. Route 289 - 2.45 million
26. Route 226 - 2.44 million 
27. Route 70 - 2.42 million
28. Route 192 - 2.41 million
29. Route W4 - 2.41 million
30. Route H37 - 2.40 million

If this list didn't include routes that have used DD buses, after H37 would be 410, following that would be 244,39,33,95,490,232 and 227.


Top 30 busiest night route single deck...... oh wait.

The 33 wouldn't be included after the H37 as that has used double deckers on occasion, even more so since the bridge was shut

[vjaska]

Oct 16, 2022 16:21:20 GMT southlondon413 said:

Oct 16, 2022 15:38:09 GMT Trafalgax said:

Someone also requested for me to do a top 30 busiest single decker routes so here it is (rounded):

1. Route 235 - 3.72 million (+1)
2. Route 170 - 3.65 million (+2)
3. Route C10 - 3.41 million (+5)
4. Route W15 - 3.40 million (-3)
5. Route 195 - 3.39 million (-2)
6. Route 316 - 3.27 million (=)
7. Route 276 - 3.17 million (-2)
8. Route 450 - 2.97 million (-1)
9. Route 80 - 2.82 million (due to be fully converted) (+11)
10. Route 358 - 2.81 million (+11)
11. Route 214 - 2.77 million
12. Route 108 - 2.76 million
13. Route 366 - 2.76 million
14. Route 112 - 2.73 million
15. Route 184 - 2.66 million
16. Route 46 - 2.65 million
17. Route 355 - 2.64 million
18. Route 493 - 2.61 million
19. Route C11 - 2.60 million
20. Route 236 - 2.60 million
21. Route D6 - 2.59 million
22. Route E6 - 2.53 million
23. Route 181 - 2.47 million
24. Route 151 - 2.46 million
25. Route 289 - 2.45 million
26. Route 226 - 2.44 million 
27. Route 70 - 2.42 million
28. Route 192 - 2.41 million
29. Route W4 - 2.41 million
30. Route H37 - 2.40 million

If this list didn't include routes that have used DD buses, after H37 would be 410, following that would be 244,39,33,95,490,232 and 227.


Top 30 busiest night route single deck...... oh wait.

The 151 isn’t single decker and hasn’t been since 2002. I also wouldn’t include the 80 as it has spent much of the period with a partial DD allocation. Likewise the 355, although not an official conversion, it has also had a temporary DD allocation for most of the period.

Although your overall correct, the 151 was actually single decker operated until 2006 when it's LDP's were replaced by X reg PVL's free from the 343 loss to Travel London.

[southlondonbus]

Oct 16, 2022 19:22:01 GMT vjaska said:

Oct 16, 2022 16:21:20 GMT southlondon413 said:

The 151 isn’t single decker and hasn’t been since 2002. I also wouldn’t include the 80 as it has spent much of the period with a partial DD allocation. Likewise the 355, although not an official conversion, it has also had a temporary DD allocation for most of the period.

Although your overall correct, the 151 was actually single decker operated until 2006 when it's LDP's were replaced by X reg PVL's free from the 343 loss to Travel London.

It feels like only yesterday the 151 was single deck. Was certainly a route back in 2006 that was needing DDs.

[overgroundcommuter]

Peckham P prefix figures.

P4 - 1.7m
P5 - 1.2m
P12 - 1.9m
P13 - 1.4m

Busiest routes serving the East Dulwich postcode.

185 - 6.7m
12 - 5.2m
176 - 5.1m
37 - 4.9m
63 - 4.8m
197 - 3m
40 - 2.8m
363 - 2.6m
42 - 1.9m
P4 - 1.7m
484 - 1.6m
P13 - 1.4m

[YY13VKP]

Oct 6, 2022 16:05:38 GMT greenboy said:

Oct 6, 2022 15:46:01 GMT southlondonbus said:

Only 586,000 on the 412 and it still gets DDs on every journey compared with SD operated buses carrying 4 or more times that amount.

Needs double deckers for school loadings, if was single decked though it wouldn't need to use Sussex Road to avoid the low bridge.

Which is why I'm rather surprised it's the fourth least used double deck route in London. Even though you have the 612 journeys, the morning and afternoon peak 412's are usually packed with school children! 

[YY13VKP]

Oct 16, 2022 7:35:25 GMT VMH2537 said:

These figures are from the 2019/2020 period compared to the latest period on bus usage recovery for the weakest recovered routes:

Top 30 least recovered routes

1. 209: 20.6%
2. 521: 26%
3. 507: 28.1%
4. A10: 52%
5. R8: 54%
6. 327: 54.1%
7. 346: 54.5%
8. H22: 56.6%
9. 140: 56.2%
10. 292: 56.2%
11. 266: 56.3%
12. 389: 56.8%
13. E1: 57%
14. 414: 57.1%
15. X68: 57.4%
16. 129: 57.6%
17. 224: 59%
18. 549: 59%
19. W12: 59.7%
20. 38: 59.9%
21. 52: 60.4%
22. U10: 60.4%
23. 283: 60.8%
24. H2: 61.1%
25. H3: 61.7%
26. 9: 61.2%
27. 138: 61.3%
28. 88: 61.5%
29. 485: 61.5%
30. W9: 62.1%

Top 15 least recovered night routes

1. N285: 51.1%
2. N472: 51.4%
3. N281: 57.2%
4. N266: 59.4%
5. N28: 62.5%
6. N65: 63.3%
7. N139: 66.2%
8. N72: 66.6%
9. N264: 66.9%
10. N220: 67.1%
11. N137: 67.5%
12. N250: 67.6%
13. N171: 68.2%
14. N119: 68.5%
15. N111: 69.7%

Please let me know if any mistakes were made

I'm not surprised the R8 is up there and also becomes the 10th least used bus route in London. I think commuters from Downe and other rural areas it serves were mainly keeping it out of the top 10 but now commuter habits have changed, this has obviously had an impact on its usage (hence its slow recovery). There are a fair few who use it to get to Orpington in the mornings (including myself sometimes) but in pre-COVID times I imagine there were significantly more people using it during the peaks. As I've highlighted before, car dependency is an issue in villages such as Downe, but unfortunately with such narrow roads there is very little TfL can do to enhance the service to make it a more attractive option. I wouldn't be surprised if the R8, and R5/10 for that matter become a demand responsive route if TfL ever decide to reintroduce that. 

[southlondonbus]

Nov 6, 2022 23:02:02 GMT YY13VKP said:

Oct 6, 2022 16:05:38 GMT greenboy said:

Needs double deckers for school loadings, if was single decked though it wouldn't need to use Sussex Road to avoid the low bridge.

Which is why I'm rather surprised it's the fourth least used double deck route in London. Even though you have the 612 journeys, the morning and afternoon peak 412's are usually packed with school children! 

But schools don't open for around 13 weeks a year plus a weeks with of inset/Baker days probably pulls down the total passenger numbers.

[abellion]

Nov 6, 2022 23:47:45 GMT southlondonbus said:

Nov 6, 2022 23:02:02 GMT YY13VKP said:

Which is why I'm rather surprised it's the fourth least used double deck route in London. Even though you have the 612 journeys, the morning and afternoon peak 412's are usually packed with school children! 

But schools don't open for around 13 weeks a year plus a weeks with of inset/Baker days probably pulls down the total passenger numbers.

And the cutback from West Croydon must have hurt, especially with the 403 going straight there. I’ve seen Warlingham bound 403s pick up quite decently around WC/Whitgift and the 412 can’t reach any of those people.

[greenboy]

Nov 6, 2022 23:02:02 GMT YY13VKP said:

Oct 6, 2022 16:05:38 GMT greenboy said:

Needs double deckers for school loadings, if was single decked though it wouldn't need to use Sussex Road to avoid the low bridge.

Which is why I'm rather surprised it's the fourth least used double deck route in London. Even though you have the 612 journeys, the morning and afternoon peak 412's are usually packed with school children! 

It seems to carry little more than fresh air outside of school hours, probably fortunate to still have 3bph daytime?

[southlondonbus]

Nov 7, 2022 7:26:49 GMT greenboy said:

Nov 6, 2022 23:02:02 GMT YY13VKP said:

Which is why I'm rather surprised it's the fourth least used double deck route in London. Even though you have the 612 journeys, the morning and afternoon peak 412's are usually packed with school children! 

It seems to carry little more than fresh air outside of school hours, probably fortunate to still have 3bph daytime?

I personally think the Norwood Juncton merger would have been good not just as whilst the 312 would have lost a bus an hour but DDs would be welcome on that section but mainly as genuinely think people from Purley would have bargained the extra journey time via Selsdon for a direct link to Cherry Orchard Road/Woodside/Norwood Junction areas as removed some demand to change from the 466 to the 197/312 at East Croydon.