Transport secretary Grant Shapps says public transport ‘will be the natural first choice’ – but campaigners are urging action to encourage modal shift

 
The survey suggests that the government has a long way to go to get its messaging right and reverse the damage done during the pandemic

 
Government ambitions to achieve modal shift away from the private car are at risk unless more is done to promote public transport, sustainable transport charity Campaign for Better Transport has warned. A survey has revealed that cars will continue to be the preferred mode of transport for around half of journeys post-Covid, “putting climate targets and a fair economic recovery at risk”.

The Savanta ComRes survey of 2,129 adults, which was carried out last month, found that the public are largely expecting to travel as they did before the pandemic. Private cars remain the dominant form of transport for shopping (50% vs. 49% before the pandemic), leisure (54% vs. 52%) and personal matters (53% vs. 52%).

Transport secretary Grant Shapps declared last year that public transport and active travel “will be the natural first choice” as the UK decarbonises its transport system. But the survey showed that the proportion of people who intend to use public transport once restrictions are lifted is very similar to pre-pandemic.

“Cars are the main contributor to carbon emissions and lethal air pollution, so returning to a car-dominated transport network is simply not an option post-Covid,” said Paul Tuohy, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport.

Our research highlights that unless the government does more to promote public transport and encourage its use, we cannot hope to reduce harmful emissions or build back in a way that is fair and sustainable

“Our research highlights that unless the government does more to promote public transport and encourage its use, we cannot hope to reduce harmful emissions or build back in a way that is fair and sustainable.”

The research asked people what would encourage them to increase their use of public transport in the future. Less crowding (30%) came top, followed by cheaper tickets (29%), better routes (29%), and more frequent (26%) and punctual (22%) services.

Simpler payment options, such as the ability to ‘touch in and out’, would encourage 15% of respondents, with 12% saying better access to real time information would make them use public transport more often.

The survey also asked people about their work plans post-Covid and revealed that whilst two thirds (65%) of all those in employment were working entirely from their place of work before the pandemic, just half (53%) plan to do so after restrictions begin to ease.

Although the survey revealed a similar proportion of people currently intend to use the train or bus to travel to work post-pandemic, the lack of affordable ticketing options for part-time commuters could result in an increase in car use or a delay to the economic recovery.

Perhaps most worryingly, the research revealed that a fifth (20%) of UK adults say nothing would currently encourage them to increase their use of public transport, rising to 29% among those aged 55 and over. This suggests that the government has a long way to go to get its messaging right and reverse the damage done during the pandemic.

Public transport, along with cycling and walking, should be the first choice for journeys, and the government must start getting that message out there

“The government must act to ensure people feel confident choosing public transport,” said Tuohy. “Public transport, along with cycling and walking, should be the first choice for journeys, and the government must start getting that message out there.

“As well as flying the flag for public transport, the government could help immediately boost passenger numbers and reduce car use by introducing flexible rail tickets for the millions of part-time commuters returning to our towns and city centres over the coming months.”

 
This article appears alongside further coverage in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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