Revenue growth continued in our deregulated bus operations through a combination of fare increases and growing passenger numbers.

Like for like revenue (excluding Go West Midlands) was up 6.4% and increased in each of our deregulated businesses. The number of passenger journeys was 2.9% above the same period last year, with around two thirds of the increase due to concessionary passengers. Non concessionary passenger numbers increased by 1.2% for the full year.

Revenue growth trends remain robust, with second half growth of 6.2%, broadly similar to first half growth of 6.6%. Passenger numbers in the second half increased by 2.1% compared to a first half rise of 3.6%. The latter reflects the timing of the national concessionary scheme which started on 1 April 2008. The rate of increase in non concessionary passenger numbers accelerated from 0.8% in the first half to 1.6% in the second half.