Bus ridership is not expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels any time soon, according to TfL. While the long-term impacts on passenger numbers resulting from the coronavirus pandemic remain unclear, what can be done to encourage pre-pandemic levels of usage?

By late November, bus ridership was back to approximately 75 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels, showing how important it is to so many Londoners.

The Government’s ‘Plan B’ guidance, advising those who can work from home to do so, is likely to reduce demand in the short term, with demand on 16 December being 72 per cent, a 9 per cent reduction on the previous week. Transport for London firmly believes that safe and reliable public transport, alongside walking and cycling, is vital to avoiding a car-led recovery.