SHOPPING TRIPS BY BUS AND COACH

Travel by bus and coach for shopping purposes has been somewhat eglected within retailing and transport studies in the United Kingdom. In an attempt to examine the role of public road transport, consideration is given to findings from the Government′s five National Travel Surveys which highlight in particular the contribution of scheduled local bus services in the population′s shopping behaviour. It is suggested that the total number of shopping trips made by bus is quite buoyant, despite the declining share of public transport overall in the nation′s travel movements. Little attention has yet been directed to people who use excursion coaches for their shopping trips. Fresh evidence from southern England suggests a considerable use of this mode of travel. Distances covered are often quite substantial, with destinations including both conventional and out‐of‐town shopping centres.