Shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) is urging England’s councils to introduce incentives for people who give up private vehicles and help increase the use of shared transport.
CoMoUK said people could be offered ‘mobility credits’ for choosing alternative modes of travel like car clubs and bike hire schemes.
In its manifesto for English local authorities ahead of May’s local government elections, CoMoUK called for councils to do more to support shared transport schemes to help cut carbon emissions and improve the nation’s health.
CoMoUK said the decarbonisation of transport requires “unprecedented action” if the net zero target is to be reached – and insisted shared transport like car clubs and bike share schemes have a proven ability to cut people’s mileage, get them to sell and not replace private cars and boost their public transport use and health.
Research by the charity found CO2 emissions from car club vehicles are on average 37% lower than the average UK car, with around 11% of car club vehicles now electric compared to only 1% of all vehicles.
The charity recommended that local authorities should incentivise the transition to EVs by offering reduced permit fees for electric car club vehicles and open access charging networks for car club and bike share operators.
Bike share schemes have also been shown to have positive impacts on people’s mental and physical health, CoMoUK added. It suggested councils should work with GP surgeries and NHS providers to develop bike share schemes as part of anti-obesity and public health strategies.
Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said:“Shared transport schemes are already doing heavy lifting on decarbonisation but can go much further with greater support and should be employed right across England.
“They provide an alternative to car ownership, and, together with public and active transport, shared transport reduces greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality and congestion.
“Shared transport also offers a solution to transport poverty for low-income households and provides flexible access to vehicles without the upfront purchase cost.
“Currently, shared transport remains underrepresented in the transport strategies and delivery plans of English local authorities.
“We believe further support is needed if the full benefits that sustainable transport can offer are to be achieved.”
CoMoUK’s call for incentives for those who give up private cars is among 12 key actions the charity wants councils in England to support to help develop shared transport.
