Failure to win back passengers will damage hopes of cutting carbon emissions

Government needs to encourage people back to public transport - and to rail in particular - with affordable ticketing, including flexible tickets for commuters.

That‘s according to a survey by Campaign for Better Transport, which says that failure to do so would lead to a car-led recovery, risking the country’s climate change targets and affecting the economic recovery.

The Rail Delivery Group said train operators want to support a green economic growth across the UK and used the results to highlight its own calls for ticket reform.

The CBT survey of 2,129 UK adults on March 5-7, carried out by Savanta ComRes, asked them what transport modes they used before the pandemic for various activities, and which they would use once all restrictions are lifted.

Results, published on April 14, showed private car use will likely remain around the same levels as pre-COVID, with around a 1%-3% increase depending on the activity.

However, while the proportion of people intending to use public transport once restrictions are lifted is very similar to pre-damages numbers, this is likely to be affected by the kinds of journeys people need to make.

“Cars are the main contributor to carbon emissions and lethal air pollution, so returning to a cardominated transport network is simply not an option post-COVID,” said CBT Chief Executive Paul Tuohy.

“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 survey found that less crowded services (30%), cheaper tickets (29%) and better routes (29%) top the public’s wish list if they are to use public transport again.

It also found that while a similar proportion of people currently intend to use the train or bus to commute again, the lack of affordable ticketing options for part-time commuters could yet result in increased car use. CBT said the lack of flexible season tickets must be addressed to encourage people to commute by rail where possible.

However, 20% of respondents said that nothing would currently encourage them back to public transport. This figure rose to 29% among those aged 55 and over.

Tuohy said: “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.”

RDG Director of Nations and Regions Robert Nisbet said rail was already helping people to travel with confidence via extra services, enhanced cleaning and better ventilation.

“As this survey shows, the pandemic has been rocket fuel to changing travel patterns, and while train operators are working with government on new flexible tickets for commuters, we want the underpinnings of the system to be rewired so we can deliver the simpler, more flexible and better-value fares which passengers increasingly want,” he said.