As lockdown restrictions are eased and many people start to move
around again, a shift to more positive messaging on public
transport is being strongly welcomed by sustainable transport
charities. The alliance of eight organisations is underlining the
importance of sustainable transport to our communities, and our
ability to create a more sustainable, healthy, inclusive future.
Government advice to consider "all other forms of transport...
before using public transport" is set to be relaxed to encourage
more people to use public transport. Responding to reports that
this advice is expected to change, Darren Shirley, Chief
Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said:
"A careful return to public transport, alongside walking, cycling
and shared transport, will be essential to avoiding congestion
and high levels of pollution as more of us begin to head back to
high streets and offices. A third of people don't have access to
a car, so public transport is also essential to rebuilding the
economy in a way that does not leave people behind."
Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users, welcomed the
promised change of tone, saying: "It is vital to move forward in
a more sustainable way and ensure that private cars are not seen
as the main travel choice now that lockdown is easing. All the
evidence shows public and shared transport is safe to use, so we
can all get back on board again and move towards a greener future
together."
Bill Freeman, Chief Executive, Community Transport Association,
said: "Many people rely on community transport services as the
only means of getting around. Reinstating these services will
support people who cannot drive or access mainstream passenger
transport to come of out lockdown in a safe and sustainable way,
which will help our communities recover as well as the economy."
Jools Townsend, Chief Executive, Community Rail Network, said:
"Trains, buses and community and shared transport have continued
to provide for our communities through the pandemic, and they're
incredibly important to our future too. These sustainable modes
of travel can help us achieve a green and inclusive recovery,
benefitting our communities, health and wellbeing, and our
climate."
Stephen Edwards, Director of Policy and Communications, Living
Streets, said: "It is essential that our national recovery from
COVID-19 is built around sustainable transport and not car-led.
There are huge benefits on offer to our individual health and air
quality by enabling everyone to make their everyday journeys in a
healthy, environmentally positive way. Walking and cycling
working in lockstep with public and shared transport should be at
the heart of this."
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive, CoMoUK, said: "Before Covid-19,
shared transport provision and use was at an all-time high in
Britain. As lockdown eases, shared transport such as car clubs
and bike share schemes can once again help people move around
sustainably in conjunction with public transport and help them
avoid owning and using private cars."
Steve Brooks, Executive Director for External Affairs at the
walking and cycling charity Sustrans said:
“Many of us will use different transport for single journeys,
combining a bus trip with a short walk. If we want to avoid
clogging our streets with traffic and encouraging more people to
walk or cycle everyday journeys, then we need to safely re-open
public transport”
Notes to editors
The sustainable transport partners are: Bus Users, Campaign
for Better Transport, Community Rail Network, Community Transport
Association, Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), Greener
Journeys, Living Stree ts, Sustrans.
In recent weeks, the organisations have been working to
show how public, community and shared transport, alongside and
connected with walking and cycling, is crucial to the reopening
of the economy and a sustainable, pollution-free future for all
our communities.
They have also been working to assist and advise transport
partners and communities, to aid local dialogue and understanding
around sustainable transport and travel, and support a confident,
inclusive and safe return to public transport use.
The organisations are working together to support and
empower communities, and advise policy- and decision-makers, on
Covid-19 recovery, to pave the way for unlocking the enormous
benefits of sustainable and inclusive transport for
all.
Read the organisations'
shared statement on Covid-19 recovery.
The partners' recent activities to support and advise on
sustainable transport include:
