Bus and light rail use in England has decreased by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter in 2008, according to the UK’s Department of Transport report.

The biggest fall in bus and light rail patronage was in the metropolitan areas, at 2.9%, and in non-metropolitan regions the same decreased by 1.7%, The Bus and Light Rail Statistics GB: Q4 2009 report said.

In Q4 2009, the bus and light rail patronage increased by 2.0% in London and went down by 4.1% in Scotland and Wales compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

The average score for overall satisfaction in England was up by one point compared to the previous quarter’s rating, according to the study.

Satisfaction with reliability in England remained the same as in the previous quarter.

The Penalty Charge Notices issued by local authorities in England and Wales in 2008/09 for on-street contraventions saw a 3% decrease from 2007/08 while off-street contraventions recorded an increase of 9%.