Public transport in Brighton and Hove is celebrating today after winning a coveted bus Oscar.

The Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company with the city council beat national competition to win the successful partnership accolade at the UK Bus Awards ceremony held in London. The award aims to reward bus-friendly local authorities.

The Brighton and Hove Quality Bus Partnership was given the accolade for implementing bus priority measures, providing quicker routes and services, providing concessionary fares and making it easier for the public to travel by bus.

Passenger numbers have risen by 50 per cent in ten years and bus use has become part of the culture in Brighton.

Brighton and Hove City Council was also runner-up for the Neoman Bus UK Transport Authority of the Year category.

John Owen, chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: "Brighton and Hove Bus Company and Brighton and Hove City Council have one of the longest standing partnerships in the country and have seen bus use grow by five per cent every year since 1993 and car use fall by 12 per cent in three years."

The awards were held at the Park Lane Hilton.

Thursday, November 10, 2005