UK drivers miss bus as car numbers increase 30% in a decade

Published on Sunday 19 April 2009 22:01

THE number of cars in the UK has risen by almost a third in the last decade as Britons continue to shun public transport.

A new survey out today shows the number of cars has gone up by 30 per cent, from 22.7 million to 29.6 million in the last ten years, while the population only increased by 4 per cent.

But despite the increasing number of cars, research from the RAC Foundation showed young people might be getting the message to make greater use of public transport, even while car usage in those aged over 70 was growing rapidly.

While 80 per cent of car owners would find it difficult to adjust to lifestyles without the car, the report points to the Climate Change Act requiring an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Authors of the study, "The Car in British Society", concluded that broad policy arrangements would be needed, including road tolls and congestion charging, as well as personalised carbon allowances and carbon trading schemes.

The RAC Foundation said government support of high-speed rail ignored the reality that cars are clearly here to stay.

Foundation director Stephen Glaister said: "The British are not addicted to driving, but they are car-reliant. More than four out of five people say they would find it difficult to use their cars less.

"It is a myth to claim public transport is the magic answer. The Government's emphasis on high-speed rail ignores the reality of most people's lives.

"The car is here to stay. It is the bedrock of our society and our economy. It has democratised this country. There is no question of getting rid of cars. Instead we must change the type of cars we use – smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient models with fewer cradle-to-grave CO2 emissions."

The survey found that 85 per cent of households in rural areas have adults with a car licence, compared to 65 per cent in urban areas larger than 250,000 people.

In all, 46 per cent of cars clocked up less than 5,000 miles a year, with 8 per cent of all trips under half a mile in length using a car. Cars were used for 78 per cent of all trips of 2-3 miles and 80 per cent of journeys longer than five miles.

Almost half of people said they are willing and able to reduce their car use, but generally people prefer using the car to public transport.

Bruce Young, co-ordinator of the Lothian and Borders branch of the Association of British Drivers, said he expected the number of cars had now peaked as the population ages, gradually reducing the numbers able to drive.

He said: "Public transport is good when there are a large number of people moving from one area to another. But the introduction of the car has allowed people to live in areas where they never lived before, and buses can never meet that spread."

David Begg, former government transport adviser, said the argument with the public needed to be rephrased. Rather than claiming road taxes would improve public transport, it should be a question of road taxes or increased income tax.

He said: "We are sending out the wrong message – we would need to lower the cost of public transport. What government needs to do is try to change travel behaviour. We are a small island with the most congested roads in Europe and the highest car ownership. What the RAC have recognised is that without some kind of road pricing, journeys are going to get longer and unbearable."