Bus services across the UK have been decimated over the past 15 years – but London has been barely affected says a new study.

While bus provision in the capital has been almost untouched across the rest of Britain it’s been hollowed out according to the research.

One area has seen bus provision drop by 82 percent – and found on average it’d plummeted on average by 48 percent in urban areas and 52 percent in rural areas, reports The Mirror.

Researchers from the University of Leeds, on behalf of Friends of the Earth, analysed every bus timetable in England and Wales since 2008.

Mike Childs, of Friends of the Earth, said: “There has been a silent war on bus users for over a decade.

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“This is not only disproportionately impacting those on low incomes, people of colour and disabled people who are less likely to own a car, but also people who had to give up their car as they’ve got older or due to poor health.

“A bus renaissance is essential both for the millions of people who do not own a car in the UK and as part of a fair, green transition to a zero-carbon economy.”.

The East Midlands has seen a drop of 60 percent, Wales has seen a drop of 57 percent and the North East has seen a drop of 52 percent.

North East Hampshire is the worst-hit area – with its Parliamentary constituency seeing an 82 percent fall in services.

Locals in the area have formed a campaign group called ‘Buses in Fleet’ as a result of the ravaged bus services.

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It said: “A bus service between Yateley and Fleet Station is definitely needed. When we had a service the journey took 10 to 15 minutes. Now it’s three buses and two-and-a-half hours, which is ridiculous.”

The reasons underpinning the drop in the amount of buses is due to a 38 percent reduction in financial support from local authorities – forcing bus providers to ditch loss making fares.

You can check out how your area fared in the study by checking on this interactive map. 

The following list shows average percentage change in trips per hour for different times of the day and week over the last 15 years (2008-23):

East Midlands: 60

Wales: 57

North East: 52

Yorkshire and The Humber: 47

West Midlands: 47

South West: 46

North West: 45

East of England: 44

South East: 43

London: 2.

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