New research from the United Kingdom shows that most people support measures which give buses greater priority on roads.
New research from the United Kingdom shows that most people support measures which give buses greater priority on roads.
The research shows that three times as many people support bus priority as oppose it.
Of those who expressed an opinion, 79 per cent of the public support the introduction of measures such as bus lanes and bus-only roads, with businesses showing the same level of support.
The Committee on Climate Change states that for the UK to remain on track for its net zero goals, one in 10 car journeys made today need to be made by bus by the end of the decade.
In Australia cars represent close to half of the country’s transport emissions and an international scorecard ranked Australia second worst for transport energy efficiency, with only 12 per cent of trips taken on public transport.
The Climate Council says that providing viable alternatives to driving, such as expanding access to reliable, comfortable public transport is vital for Australia to reduce its overall transport emissions.
Introducing measures which will speed up bus journey times and encourage more people out of cars and onto the bus is vital for the UK to meet these targets.
Despite high levels of support for bus priority, local authorities can find it challenging to introduce such measures as they can face opposition.
 |
|
Half of Australia’s transport emissions come from cars
|
To help councils, UK bus industry membership organisation the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has produced a set of toolkits that include recommendations based on research with both the general public and business owners on how to best communicate the benefits of bus priority.
Key findings include:
- Highlight the role bus travel can play in delivering local environmental goals and improving the liveability of an area.
- Put accessibility and improved life chances at the heart of messaging.
- Being transparent about potential disruption during construction and ensuring early and meaningful local engagement with local communities is vital
Commenting on the findings of the research and toolkit launch, CPT chief executive Graham Vidler said councils can utilise this study to justify giving buses greater priority.
“This research shows that councils can enjoy public and business support when it comes to giving buses priority on our roads, helping them meet their own net zero targets and the UK’s overall climate change goals,” Vidler said.
“Priority for buses means quicker and more reliable journeys and, therefore, more people on buses. This will improve access to jobs and services and drive down carbon emissions.
“Understandably people can have concerns about schemes where the impact of construction is unclear or the benefits to them and their local community are not clearly set out. Our toolkit will help local authorities ensure widespread community support for measures they want to introduce,” he said.
Commenting on the launch of the toolkit, Transport Minister Baroness Vere said the bus sector plays a vital role in cleaning up the air in communities.
“We’re investing unprecedented levels of funding into both supporting and transforming our bus industry.
“I hope local authorities will take advantage of CPT’s insight and toolkit as they encourage their communities to use public transport services,” she said
