Public Transport
type: Dataset
description: Number of bus passenger journeys and bus vehicle kilometres on all services in Scotland, number of passenger train stations in Scotland and figures for satisfaction with public transport in Scotland from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS). Note that the question about public convenience of transport has now been removed from the Scottish Household Survey. Passenger journey numbers are collected by the Department for Transport (DfT) and published annually in [Scottish Transport Statistics](https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/statistics#42763) along with train station numbers, which are also collected by DfT. The bus statistics presented here are collected through a survey by the DfT of public service vehicle operators, including all operators who are licensed with 21 or more license discs and only including local bus operators. Journey numbers are based on passenger boardings, so return tickets will be counted as two journeys. Vehicle kilometres are for \"live\" (in-service) mileage and exclude empty running of buses, driver instruction and vehicle testing. Estimates from the SHSurvey are updated annually in [Transport and Travel in Scotland](https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-and-travel-in-scotland-2022/). SHS estimates are National Statistics and provide figures which are representative of households and individuals in Scotland annually. The SHS has an annual sample size of around 10,000 individuals and, since 2012, has operated with a fully unclustered sample design. Due to the Covid pandemic there was a smaller sample size for the SHS survey in 2020. We are therefore not be able to provide 2020 data broken down in as many ways as usual. For example, we are not able to provide data for individual local authorities.
issued: 2026-08-13T08:46:46.983164
modified: 2026-08-13T08:47:46.976427
version notes: The SHS is not subject to scheduled revision. Revisions and corrections to previously published statistics are dealt with in accordance with the Scottish Government Statistician Group corporate policy statement on revisions and corrections - a copy of which is available on [the Scottish Government website](https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About/CPSonRevisionsCorrections).
contact point: Kind
contact point: Organization
theme: Transport
accuracy: Some tables include missing values. This is where the count on which percentages would be calculated is less than 50 and this data is judged to be insufficiently robust for publication.
comment: Number of bus passenger journeys and bus vehicle kilometres on all services, passenger train stations and satisfaction with public transport. Figures for the convenience of public transport are from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS). Note that the public convenience data is no longer updated as the question was withdrawn from the survey.
completeness: A glossary of terms used in the SHS is available in [the SHS annual report](https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-people-annual-report-results-2018-scottish-household-survey/pages/15/).
confidentiality: The SHS complies with statistical disclosure control principles and the [Code of Practice](https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/) for Official Statistics. It is therefore not possible to calculate how many respondents gave a certain answer based on the results of this survey.
consistency: The Scottish Government conducts several major population surveys that are used to inform the policy debate in Scotland and in some instances the surveys can be complementary. The [Long-Term Survey Strategy 2018-2022](https://www2.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00533188.pdf), of which the SHS is a central element, aims to ensure that the Scottish Government's population surveys continue to meet key information needs while maximising the analytical potential of the data they generate. A guide is available providing [more information on Scotland's surveys](https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About/scotlandsurveys).
geographical coverage: S08
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S92
license id: uk-ogl
next update: 2027-03-01
quality management: Full details of the methodology and fieldwork outcomes for the SHS can be accessed at the [Scottish Household Survey Methodology and Fieldwork Outcomes](https://www.gov.scot/collections/scottish-household-survey/#methodology).
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2024
  start date: 2003
timeliness: This dataset will be updated annually.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: The SHS is designed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on the composition, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of private households and individuals, both nationally and at a sub-national level and to examine the physical condition of Scotland's homes. It covers a wide range of topics to allow links to be made between different policy areas.
will be updated: true

public-transport.csv
type: Distribution
description: Data file for Public Transport
format: CSV
issued: 2026-08-13T08:47:46.986155
modified: 2026-08-13T08:47:46.982403
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Units
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyType
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyName
  column: Column
    datatype: int
    name: DateCode
  column: Column
    datatype: int
    name: Value
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Measurement
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: IndicatorPublic Transport
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/cbdcc9fa-7b52-4de3-8f25-1d30c1f2d9fb/download
comment: Number of bus passenger journeys and bus vehicle kilometres on all services, passenger train stations and satisfaction with public transport. Figures for the convenience of public transport are from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS). Note that the public convenience data is no longer updated as the question was withdrawn from the survey.
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: int
dictionary: Column
  column: IndicatorPublic Transport
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: int

Transport Scotland
type: Agent

Transport
type: Concept