The average satisfaction score given by passengers for the bus journey just completed was 80 out of 100 in England, 83 in both Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan areas and 76 in London. This is the highest rating ever achieved for Non-Metropolitan areas and is an increase of one percentage point on the previous quarter. The London rating was down one point on the previous quarter and the value for Metropolitan area remained unchanged.

Satisfaction with reliability was unchanged on the previous quarter at 67 for England and 70 in London.

Satisfaction with bus stop information was unchanged for England as a whole with a score of 66. Non-Metropolitan areas achieved their highest ever rating for satisfaction with bus stop information, up two points to 62 although satisfaction dropped two points to 72 in London. These values relate to a target agreed with the bus industry, under which operators in England will seek to achieve year-on-year improvement in information at bus stops, based on DfT national passenger satisfaction survey ratings during the period 2000 to 2010.

The total percentage of mileage run excluding losses outside the operators' control totalled 98.2% in the period July to September 2004. This shows a decrease of 0.5 from the previous quarter, which is largely due to industrial action by bus drivers in South Yorkshire. The department has agreed a target with the bus industry requiring local buses to run 99.5% of scheduled route mileage, except where this is affected by factors beyond their control.

In London, lost mileage due to traffic congestion fell from 1.4 to 1.3 per cent this quarter. In England outside London, the proportion of mileage lost due to traffic congestion was unchanged, at 0.2 per cent.

The average age of buses as measured by the Confederation of Passenger Transport Operators (CPT) at 1 April 2004 was 7.2 years. The Confederation of Passenger Transport Operators has committed its members in Great Britain to a target which aims to achieve and maintain an average fleet age of 8 years or less for their vehicles which are mainly used for local bus services. The number of licensed buses and coaches at end-September 2004 rose above 100,000 for the first time, to 100,153.

Notes to editors 1. Statistics Bulletin (05)1 Bus Quality Indicators England: July to September 2004is available from DfT, ST1, Zone 3/09, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR (Tel: 020 7944 4139). Public transport statistics can be viewed by following the links from the DfT Website

2. The targets agreed with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) are set out in a press release from the former DTLR on 30 April 2002 (News Release 2002/0170)

3. The next Bus Quality Indicator bulletin will be published on Thursday 31 March 2005