UK Public Transport

Public Transport in the UK is a wide ranging and fairly complex subject. 

We have written this part of our website to provide an overview of the public transport choices available to you. 

It is representative of the enormous amount of information available and is to help you navigate your way around the UK transport network. 

Each of the following sections has links to the companies that operate the transport services.

Please also check out our sections on Taxis, and on UK and European Rail Services From London, a summary of rail services in the capital by station.

A particularly helpful website is: www.showbus.com This excellent site provides a lot of information on local and regional bus services throughout the UK.

An Overview of UK Public Transport

Greater use of public transport to reduce road congestion is a major policy issue of the present UK Government, but major improvements to public transport, including cost and reliability, are a pre-requisite for this transport policy to succeed.

Most of the state owned transport companies were privatised by the previous Conservative government during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Rail and Bus networks are now operated by private companies. London Underground is one of the few remaining state owned companies.

The choices now available to us for travelling around the UK are many and diverse, some good and some which demand stamina and patience. Long distance buses compete with the rail network, and even the airlines, and are often more economical.

Most cities, towns and counties are served by one or more bus operator on routes, sometimes circuitous, which link the local towns and villages. The frequency of the services, which usually operate between 06.00 and 24.00, is very much dependent on the level of population in the area. Busy towns have a more frequent service than country villages. 

Public transport in major cities is highly visible but has to compete with motorists for space on our congested roads. 'Bus only' lanes are being introduced as a means of improving the service and encouraging motorists to use public transport. Fares, however, are quite high, especially in comparison to other European countries.

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