The number of people using buses throughout the UK dropped by 1.3 per cent in the 12 months to March 2013 when compared with the previous year.

New figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) have confirmed that 4.62 billion passenger journeys were completed in 2012-13, which was 60 million fewer than 2011-12.

The downturn was blamed on a levelling off of bus use in London, while a long-term decline outside the capital continued.

There was a 3.2 per cent dip in bus usage in England in the first quarter of 2013 when compared with the corresponding period in 2012. The number of journeys made in Scotland fell by 2.8 per cent and there was a 6.9 per cent drop in Wales.

Many people may have been put off by increasing fares, as the average ticket in England went up by 4.7 per cent in March.

The government will no doubt find these figures concerning, as it is keen to see more people using public transport in the UK.