Transport forum marks milestone as public transport use hits 14 million
More passengers than ever are choosing public transport to travel to and from London Stansted, with more than 13.5 million travelling by rail, bus and coach over the past 12 months.
Almost half of all passengers now travel to and from the airport by public transport, giving Stansted the highest public transport mode share of any major UK airport.
The figures were revealed as the Stansted Airport Transport Forum celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of bringing together transport operators, local authorities, businesses and community organisations to improve connections to the airport.
When the forum was established, Stansted handled around nine million passengers a year and around a third travelled by public transport.
Rail continues to play a growing role in connecting passengers with the airport, with its mode share now exceeding 35%.
Recent developments include a successful trial of 24-hour Stansted Express services, the opening of Cambridge South station and the introduction of contactless ticketing.
The airport's coach and bus network has also expanded over the past year.
New services include Flibco's route linking Stansted with Enfield, Wood Green and Finsbury Park, while Arriva has enhanced its 723 service between Stansted and Harlow, reducing journey times and improving access for passengers and airport staff.
More than a third of airport employees, around 5,000 people, now travel to work by public transport. This is supported by investment in bus services, cycling facilities and other sustainable travel initiatives across the airport campus.
Looking ahead, work is progressing on plans for a major redevelopment of Stansted's bus and coach station, with proposals including increased capacity, improved waiting areas, better passenger information and enhanced ticketing facilities.
The forum also received an update on East West Rail, the major project linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
The new railway is expected to strengthen connections between Stansted and some of the UK's fastest-growing centres for science, technology and innovation, providing further opportunities for passengers to travel by rail.
John Pope, Chair of the Stansted Airport Transport Forum, said:
"The past year has seen real progress across our transport network, with growing numbers of passengers and employees choosing sustainable ways to travel to and from the airport.
"Reaching almost 14 million passengers travelling by public transport in a year is a significant milestone, particularly as we celebrate 25 years of the Stansted Airport Transport Forum.
"It reflects the strong partnerships that have helped improve rail, bus and coach connections to the airport over the past quarter of a century.
"From the successful trial of 24-hour Stansted Express services and improvements to local bus routes, to plans for a major redevelopment of the airport's bus and coach station, we're continuing to improve the range of travel options available to passengers and staff while supporting the airport's sustainable growth.
"The forum plays an important role in bringing together transport operators, local authorities, businesses and community organisations, and we look forward to building on this progress and delivering further improvements in the years ahead."
The Stansted Airport Transport Forum took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel on November 11.