Providing a powerful evidence base to guide future investment and policy
Bus services within the Heartland region generate billions of pounds in economic benefits and deliver more than a four-fold return on public investment, according to new research by England's Economic Heartland
The report, developed in partnership with KPMG, provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of the economic, social, and environmental value of bus services across the region, and within each local authority area.
The research found that, across EEH, there is:
There are over 360,000 daily bus journeys across the Heartland,which spans from Swindon and Oxfordshire across to Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. With the region’s ‘polycentric’ geography– where no single urban centre dominates—the report underscores the importance of a well-connected, integrated bus system to ensure inclusive growth and access for all.
Chair of England’s Economic Heartland, Cllr Liz Leffman, said: “We all instinctively understand the immense value buses bring to our society and economy. They are the arteries of our communities—linking people to employment,education, healthcare, and leisure, while driving local economies and fostering social inclusion.
“Thanks to the detailed analysis in this report, we can now quantify that value—both at the regional level and within each local authority—providing a powerful evidence base to guide future investment and policy.”
As sub-national transport body, England’s Economic Heartland has earned a strong reputation for its work on bus. This includes:
