According to a new study by the RAC Foundation, British drivers have risen in number and in mileage. Alternatives in public transport aren't improving much: the usage of bus transport has declined 13 percent since 1993 and 50 percent of Britons have never taken the bus. Train usage, on the other hand, has increased 40 percent, although more for occasional trips than for commuting.
In the other hand, more Britons, 7 percent, are cycling to work. Actually, Transport for London reports a 50 percent increase in cycling in London since 2002.
Former studies also reflected that 20 percent of car journeys could be made with transport other than the car and because of that, the RAC concludes that the outcome of the promotion of public transport has been very low (it's not mentioned in the press release that it's also very expensive).
However, the RAC study is optimistic, and it affirms that, "if the right mix of targeted solutions are put in place to provide a real alternative to the car for certain journeys some lasting changes could be seen in the future."
Click through the jump for more facts and figures from the release.
Related:
The Foundation's Fact File on Car Dependence finds that over the period between 1993 and 2005:
In the other hand, more Britons, 7 percent, are cycling to work. Actually, Transport for London reports a 50 percent increase in cycling in London since 2002.
Former studies also reflected that 20 percent of car journeys could be made with transport other than the car and because of that, the RAC concludes that the outcome of the promotion of public transport has been very low (it's not mentioned in the press release that it's also very expensive).
However, the RAC study is optimistic, and it affirms that, "if the right mix of targeted solutions are put in place to provide a real alternative to the car for certain journeys some lasting changes could be seen in the future."
Click through the jump for more facts and figures from the release.
Related:
- Streetcar and Network Rail provide car sharing from British train stations
- UK car buyers choosing cleaner vehicles
- First European biodiesel passenger train, the Virgin Voyager, on the move in the UK
The Foundation's Fact File on Car Dependence finds that over the period between 1993 and 2005:
- The percentage of the population with a valid driving license has risen from 67 percent to 72 percent.
- The total mileage driven has increased by 17 percent across the UK.
- There has only been a slow down in car usage in London since 2002
- The number of women driving has risen rapidly from under 50 percent to over 60 percent
- The number of men driving has risen more slowly (75 percent to 80 percent)
- In London the proportion of frequent drivers has fluctuated around 80 percent
- Car use peaks amongst the 35-44 age groups
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