Motorists have been urged to ditch just one car trip a month to help the UK achieve its Net Zero climate change targets. A transport group claims switching from a car to public transport would save enough cash to build 33 NHS hospitals.
Consumer research conducted by the Confederation for Passenger Transport (CPT) found that six in 10 believe that increasing the use of public transport is important to help the UK reduce its carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030. Whilst almost half of car drivers have considered taking the bus more often in order to be greener, according to the CPT Decarbonisation Dividend’ report.
Written by WPI Economics, the report demonstrates the vital role increased bus and coach travel has to play in the UK reaching its targets.
Graham Vidler, chief executive of CPT, said: “Our findings show that around half of Brits want to have a more balanced mix between using their car and taking the bus or a coach. With the many parts of the country set to invest in speeding up journey times there’s a great opportunity for people to start shifting some of their journeys.
The findings of the report also identified health and economic benefits that could be reaped in years to come due to this shift. These benefits include reductions in congestion valued at £29.4 billion and health benefits worth £14.9 billion – enough to build 33 new NHS hospitals.
Mr Vidler added: “Our new report has shown that changes in the way we travel are needed to keep us on the pathway to net zero. The report shows that small changes in the way we travel can create a big difference. To unlock these benefits, each of us needs to switch just one journey per month from car to bus by the end of this decade, two journeys per month by 2050. That’s it.
"Our findings show that increased bus and coach travel are key to helping the nation achieve these.”
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
