MORE needs to be done to get people out of their cars and on to buses, a committee of MPs has said.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee revealed that bus use is falling nearly everywhere in the UK, except London.

In the south west, the numbers travelling by bus has fallen by 0.25 per cent between 2000/01 and 2004/05.

London, in comparison, has seen the number of bus travellers jump by 32 per cent in recent years.

The report urges more concessionary fares, including for children travelling to school to reduce traffic caused by the school run.

The recommendation comes only three months after Stagecoach condemned proposals to cut back on half fares for children in Swindon, saying it too could lead to fare rises or service reductions.

Ian Manning, the managing director of Stagecoach, Swindon's second largest bus operator, said he expected the cuts to cost the firm at least £120,000 a year.

In February 2005, Swindon Council slashed the concessionary fares budget by £200,000 and withdrew support for many tendered services.