Bus and coach operator Stagecoach has released a new report outlining how it believes Britain can cut more than one billion miles of car journeys and nearly 400,000 tonnes of CO2 from its roads each week.
The report, commissioned by Stagecoach, suggests that councils can help motorists save up to £6,000 a year through new policies which incentivise reduced use of cars.
The publication suggested local government could have a bigger impact by combining policies discouraging car use and funding to make public transport more affordable, accessible and convenient.
Richard Holden, roads minister, said: “This research from Stagecoach shows there is great appetite among drivers to use their cars less in favour of buses – the most popular form of public transport.
“That’s why we’re investing billions in buses that are more frequent, greener, and start earlier and finish later across the UK and providing residents outside London with a step change towards the brilliant transport networks they deserve.”
Titled Every journey makes a difference: how we can support people switch how they travel, the research also outlines financial, environmental and community benefits of reduced car use and calls for a co-ordinated response from government, councils and transport operators.
According to the report, which Stagecoach claims involved a survey of more than 4,000 Britons, motorists are open to reducing their car journeys. Specifically, it cites that there has been a 34% net growth in those open to switching the school run, with 22% more considering leaving the car at home for leisure and 36% of younger motorists being amenable to the change.
What’s more, more than half (51%) of motorists want to see action from councils on this issue, with the introduction of clean air zones across the country potentially removing 1.3 billion miles of car journeys each week and wider use of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods offering savings of more then 900 million miles a week, according to Stagecoach.
