Survey finds eight out of ten drivers would use public transport more if it was better
Research commissioned by transport charity Campaign for Better Transport has revealed that almost eight out of ten of drivers would use public transport more if it was better, and more than nine out of ten support Government investment in improving the public transport network as an alternative to driving.
The survey found that many drivers also regularly use public transport, walk and cycle – nearly a quarter of all people are ‘mixed’ transport users.
The survey was carried out by Yonder Data Solutions on 4 and 5 October 2023 who conducted a nationally representative survey amongst 1,079 people as part of an online omnibus survey, which is a method of quantitative marketing research where data on a wide variety of subjects is collected during the same interview.
Norman Baker from Campaign for Better Transport said, “Divisive rhetoric which pits drivers against public transport users is a nonsense. Many drivers are public transport users too, and many more would like to be. And getting more people onto buses and trains helps those drivers still in their cars by reducing congestion.”
The survey also revealed that investing in public transport has almost universal support among the public, whether they are primarily drivers or use public transport:
90 per cent of drivers and 91 per cent public transport passengers want to see a bigger rail network
97 per cent of drivers and 98 per cent of public transport passengers want cheaper rail fares
94 per cent of drivers and 95 per cent of public transport passengers want more and improved bus routes.
Last month the Government published its Plan for Drivers which seeks to prioritise driving over other modes of transport and placed motoring as the default option for most journeys.
But Baker commented, “Our survey shows that cutting investment in public transport is out of step with public opinion. The vast majority of people want to see more investment in our public transport network, not less.”